Honda tears up its old product plan

Honda Motor Co. is reviewing its entire lineup with the aim of building less expensive and more fuel-efficient vehicles, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito says. In the case of some next-generation products--including the crucial Civic platform used on a variety of vehicles worldwide--that means making major changes to vehicles already well along in the development process.

Ford warms up new era of car-guy leaders

A minor temblor shook Dearborn, Mich., today with the announcement that Mark Fields, president of the Americas, climbed the golden corporate ladder to grab the chief operating officer ring, setting him up to succeed Alan Mulally in a couple of years. The move did not come as a shock-it only confirmed the whispers of auto industry Royal Watchers. The biggest news for those who care about cars, however, is two-fold: Jim Farley, Ford's global marketing boss, also takes the helm of Lincoln.

Majestic Bentley to be auctioned for charity

A SUPREMELY elegant 1987 Bentley 8 is to be auctioned for charity as part of a sale including more than 150 cars. The majestic Bentley will take its place amongst the myriad other fine classic cars at the Historics at Brooklands auction in Surrey on Saturday, June 7, following the sad news of the death of the car’s current owner’s sister. Significantly, this much-loved and well-travelled Bentley – presented in fine condition inside and out – is offered at no reserve, with all proceeds from the sale donated to charity at the request of the vendor, plus Historics’ sellers and buyers’ commissions.