Column Shifter Mech Ck / Astro Platinum# 2905101 on 2040-parts.com

Increase in crashes linked to mobile phone use

As many of us admit to taking selfies at the wheel, researchers have noticed a rise in the number of rear-end shunts on UK roads – despite many manufacturers now offering cars with collision avoidance systems that can brake automatically. According to new research by Accident Exchange, crashes involving one car hitting the back of another have increased by 7% in the last three years. Rated: self-braking cars that avoid a crash Nearly 1 in 10 admit to taking selfies at the wheel With each rear-end smash costing insurers £2,000 on average, premiums could rocket until driverless cars hit our streets.

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.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500/GMC Sierra [w/Gallery]

The all-new Chevrolet Sliverado and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups will be looking to steal sales from the dominant Ford F-Series in the US full-size truck market in the 2014 model year. The Silverado is the flagship of Chevrolet's three-truck portfolio, sitting above the Silverado 3500 and 2500 HD. The GMC Sierra features the same basic package as its bow-tied sibling but with unique features to offer a more premium proposition.