General Motors Tech 2 Scan Tool on 2040-parts.com

Shocking stats reveal mobile use while driving

AS MANY as 13% of drivers are still using hand-held mobile phones while at the wheel, according to a survey. And 4% have admitted to regularly sending or reading text messages while driving, the poll by road safety charity Brake and insurance company Direct Line showed. The number of people owning up to using hand-held mobiles at the wheel has fallen from 36% in 2006 to the current figure of 13%.

Good Ideas Salon, Tokyo

To discuss ‘pure living' as a concept, Nissan and trends company PSFK hosted the Good Ideas Salon in Tokyo on 20 October 2009; a moderated conversation between International and local guests explored how pure living manifests itself in design, technology, urban living and transportation. Panelist Marc Alt, founder of Marc Alt + Partners, a strategic agency dedicated to sustainability and social innovation, began the Salon discussion stating that, "Companies and individuals need to understand what it means to be green in their daily lifestyle choices. Sustainability is not just about creating energy-efficient resources, but being more efficient in how we use these resources.

2012 Volkswagen Beetle guest stars on ‘Oprah'

Volkswagen used the “Oprah Winfrey Show” to tease the 2012 Beetle, which arrives in showrooms next fall. A silhouette of the diminutive new car was shown on Monday on the TV show, and it's expected to have sleeker styling with a stretched-out roofline. That cue was also seen on the 2005 Ragster concept.