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

Mini may drop Paceman, Coupe, and Roadster

Mini may discontinue the Paceman, Coupe, and Roadster models as it seeks to trim its lineup, following the introduction of the third-generation Mini Cooper three-door Hardtop. Instead, the company plans to focus on three "pillar" models: the Hardtop, the Countryman, and the Clubman. The third model, the Clubman, is technically still speculative as the company presented a Clubman only in concept form at the Geneva Motor Show last week, but given the amount of real-world testing of Clubman prototypes observed, coupled with the production-ready appearance of the Clubman Concept, this model is virtually assured to reach production in its current form.

GM to build Cadillacs outside the U.S.

General Motors CEO Dan Akerson said Tuesday that the company plans to begin building Cadillacs outside the United States by the end of 2012 as part of its plan to make GM's premium brand a true global nameplate. Akerson said overseas Cadillac production would reduce the risk of foreign-currency fluctuations and allow GM to better manage its supply chain. Although Cadillac long has been sold in China and other international markets, it's produced only in North America.

Ford aims to improve comfort for workers on its assembly lines

Ford Motor Co. is using a digital mannequin, customized to account for physical differences across regions, to determine how to make jobs less physically strenuous for its assembly-line workers. The digital worker avatar is based on Ford's virtual North American Jack and Jill workers.