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

Ford reportedly to shut down Mercury

The Mercury brand, rumored to be on the verge of death several times over the past decade, would be shut down under a plan being prepared for Ford Motor Co.'s board of directors, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday. Citing two executives who have knowledge of the plan but asked not to be identified, the news service said the plan would be submitted to Ford's board in July. How quickly Mercury would be shut down depends how quickly the automaker can convince Lincoln Mercury dealers to close or merge with a Ford-brand dealership, the report said.

Meguiar's condition improves to stable

Avid car collector and TV host Barry Meguiar is in stable condition and his health is improving, according to a statement from Meguiar's Inc., the car-care-products company that bears his family name. Meguiar, 67, was hospitalized in Monterey, Calif., last weekend while attending the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and on Wednesday, his condition was reported as serious. The company statement, released on Thursday afternoon, said Meguiar had contracted an undiagnosed virus recently while recording his TV show, "Car Crazy," outside the United States.

Dacia Lodgy MPV ice racer (2011) first official pictures

Strip away the ice-racing livery – this is being presented as Alain Prost's ice slider for the 2011-12 Trophee Andros – and this is the new Dacia Lodgy, as revealed in our artist's impression. That unusual name signifies the budget brand's new small MPV, which could come to the UK. We won't see the new Lodgy in roadgoing spec until spring 2012, but we hear it could join the Dacia Duster and Sandero when UK sales begin next year.