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Pioneer App Radio officially unveiled

Pioneer has officially unveiled the App Radio that AutoWeek told you about earlier this month. Now that it's willing to talk, Pioneer claims that the radio and audio system is "the first in-vehicle product designed to utilize the processing power, storage capacity, network connectivity and apps of the iPhone and iPod Touch as the primary source for its information and entertainment capabilities." That does sound a lot like what Mini Connected and, in a more platform-agnostic sense, Ford Sync are doing. Pioneer said it couldn't speak to the similarity of those systems, but Ted Cardenas, director of marketing for Pioneer's car-electronics division, briefed us on installation of the device and what Pioneer is doing to minimize driver distraction.

Fiat to make Chryslers at former Bertone plant

Fiat will produce Chryslers at a recently acquired former Carrozzeria Bertone plant in Italy, Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said. Marchionne, who said that Chrysler's new, five-year post-bankruptcy business plan will be released in November, declined to reveal what cars will be built at the plant, in Grugliasco, near Turin, or when production will start. Sources in Turin said the factory could resume production in late 2011.

2011 Lincoln MKS Spied: Slightly new look for automaker

The Lincoln MKS sedan hasn't been on the market all that long, but Ford Motor Co. designers are locking down a freshening, likely for the 2011 model year. The bulk of the changes will happen to the front and rear fascia, and to some interior trim.