How safe are new minicars?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently tested a total of 11 minicars in its relatively new small-overlap crash test, and the Chevrolet Spark was the only one to earn an Acceptable rating. The small-overlap crash test was instituted in 2012 with the goal of better replicating real-life car crashes, most of which don't follow the pattern of traditional government crash tests. Instead of a car hitting a stationary object with 100 percent of its front making contact, the small-overlap test examines how a car behaves in a frontal impact at 40 mph where only a quarter of the car's front hits an object.

Bentley clears out parts with garage sale

Now here's a one-of-a-kind garage sale: Bentley Motors is looking to unload some original and unused parts and accessories. The automaker is opening up its headquarters in Cheshire, England, on Sept. 26-27 to pro buyers, owners and enthusiasts.

Changan CV11

Changan's first MPV rolled off the production line on March 26 in China, following its preview as a concept four years ago at the Shanghai Motor Show. Since then the MPV market in China has boomed, sales in 2006 a third higher than in 2005. The package and styling of the CV11 are both euro-generic, but is interesting to see a different market embrace them so enthusiastically.