Corvette Solenoid, Carb Idle, 1971-1972 on 2040-parts.com

Survey reveals in-car climate clashes

CLIMATE change isn’t just leading to arguments in politics – it’s causing heat in cars, too, because it seems men and women simply can’t agree on what temperature to set. A new study from Kwik Fit has revealed that 52% of couples whose cars have air conditioning argue over what temperature to set it at, and it’s usually men who want it cooler than their female companions. And as many as 250,000 drivers across the country say their air-con preferences are so different to their partner’s that they simply have to keep the system turned off to avoid bust-ups.

Free of GM, Saab declares its independence

Saab Automobile AB is reinventing itself as an independent automaker. Since its sale by General Motors Co. to Spyker Cars NV in February, Saab has been re-evaluating every aspect of its business.

Ford B-Max goes in to production

The Ford B-Max – Ford’s long overdue replacement for the Fusion – has gone in to production in Romania before going on sale in Europe in September. The Ford B-Max is the long-awaited replacement for the very ancient Ford Fusion which finally, a year on from the B-Max Concept - arrived at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in production guise. Thankfully – because the B-Max concept as so convincing – Ford has managed to deliver a production B-Max that carries over almost all the features of the concept with just a few minor things – like more sensible wheels and proper door handles – marking the production B-Max out from the concept.