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

SEMA ups scholarship money for car-crazed college kids

The Specialty Equipment Market Association, better known to most of us as SEMA, has announced a hefty boost to its SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund for 2013: The top student selected now gets $1,000 more for a total of $5,000 toward an automotive-related college education. Other eligible participants in four-year programs get $3,000—last year, they only received $2,000—and two-year students get their funds doubled to $2,000. In the Buckeye State, one lucky student at the Ohio Technical College will get complete tuition coverage, which is a cool $29,400.

Saab targets customers' hearts, brains and wallets in North America

Saab executives said they're optimistic the struggling brand will be able to attract customers despite production stoppages at the company's Trollhaettan, Sweden, plant and cash flow problems. The Swedish automaker aims to target consumers and instill confidence with a grass-roots marketing campaign that focuses on the "heart, brain and wallet," Saab Cars North America President Tim Colbeck told reporters at Saab's North American headquarters in suburban Detroit on Thursday. Colbeck said the company must move away from selling vehicles based on price and focus more on making customers enthusiastic about driving Saab's vehicles.

Ford says optional EcoBoost V6 engine popular with F-150 buyers

Sales of Ford F-150 pickups with the optional EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6 engine have surpassed company estimates, with some dealers reporting robust demand as gasoline prices rise. "We had a sales forecast but it has jumped up a little faster than we thought," said Marc Lapine, consumer marketing manager for Ford Motor Co. Credit the increase to rising fuel prices.