Harley Davidson Custom Front Fender on 2040-parts.com

Rinspeed microMAX [w/video]

Rinspeed has previewed its microMAX commuter vehicle concept ahead of its debut at the upcoming Geneva motor show, where it aims to blur the boundaries between cars. taxis and busses. The prototype, measuring in at 3,700mm long and 2,200mm high, is designed to flexibly offer the benefits of both personal and public transport to those driving themselves to regular commuters in carpools – as shown in the delightfully cringe-inducing promo video photos.

New Peugeot 208 production cut as sales disappoint

Peugeot is cutting back on production of the new 208 as its sales fail to reach expectations, just six months on from launch. It’s not enough when Europe is ion the midst of an economic crisis and car buyers are polarised between ‘budget’ cars that offer more for less than mainstream offerings and ‘Premium’ models that are bought on the back of a preconceived notion of more kudos. That leaves car makers like Peugeot (and Renault, Citroen, Vauxhall, Ford, Opel, Fiat…) between a rock and a hard place, unable – or unwilling – to compete with the offerings from Korea and saddled with a brand that doesn’t have the ‘class’ of an Audi or a BMW or a Mercedes or even a VW.

Four big pickups get low marks in crash tests

Four 2009 full-sized pickups got low marks in side-impact crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a research group for auto insurers. Crash protection is "poor" in crew-cab versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and Nissan Titan without side-impact airbags, according to test results the institute released on Wednesday. The Dodge Ram with standard side-impact airbags got only a "marginal" rating, the institute said.