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The scramble for scarce tires

North American automakers are struggling with a nagging shortage of tires, caused in part by tire plant closings and rising demand for low-volume specialty tires. Automakers are paying much higher prices -- double-digit percentage increases from a year ago -- as tire makers gain pricing power. "We have been bombarded from every side for additional tires, and we can't keep up," said David O'Donnell, Continental Tire's vice president of original equipment in the Americas.

Driven: Toyota Aygo (2014)

When the original Aygo launched in 2005, it shared the A-segment with nine rivals, including its sister cars, the Citroën C1 and Peugeot 107. In 2014, there are 20 small city cars on the European market, placing extra pressure on the Aygo's designers to ensure it offers something unique and competitive. But while the design rethink needs to move the car forward, pragmatism dictates that a truly successful reinvention will ensure the Aygo also remains integrated with Toyota's line-up; it's one of the top sellers in Toyota's European portfolio, and a proven driver of brand loyalty.

Money woes may keep Converj from market

General Motors' tight finances may hold the automaker back from building a production version of the Cadillac Converj concept car. GM revealed the coupe, which would use the same technology as the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, last week at the auto show here. GM designed the Converj so the production version--if it ever happens--will look "exactly like this," says Bob Lutz, GM's vice chairman of global product development.