Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

GM to slash global vehicle platforms by more than half, to 14, by 2018

General Motors says it will cut the number of vehicle platforms it uses globally by more than half over the next decade, in a bid to reduce complexity and save on product-development costs. “More of our components will be common, and more of our vehicles will be on global architectures,” GM CEO Dan Akerson told analysts on Tuesday. His remarks came as GM kicked off a series of presentations online, billed as its 2011 Global Business Conference.

Karmann files for insolvency

Karmann, the century-old German coachbuilder synonymous with cabrios and the famous 1950s Karmann Ghia, has filed for insolvency. The company made the move Wednesday in Germany in response to a dramatic decline in revenue, an inability to pay for its massive layoff plan and the worldwide economic crisis. The North American operations, which make convertible tops for Detroit car companies and Volkswagen, are not affected, a spokesman said.

Jaguar XKR 75 (2010) first official picture

The new 2010 Jaguar XKR 75. You guessed it – a 75th birthday present to itself By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 24 June 2010 11:11 This is the 75th birthday present Jaguar has wrapped for itself: the new XKR 75. It’s a tweaked-up version of the supercharged XKR, massaged to produce 523bhp (up 19 ponies) and 483lb ft (and 22 pounds).