Mazda Axela 2014 Multi Monitor [1661300] on 2040-parts.com

Women are now the driving force in cars

WOMEN now account for more than half of all driving licence holders in the USA and the UK is set to follow this example by 2016. Younger women drivers are helping to boost the number of female driving licence holders around the world, but older women drivers are also growing in number. The number of males applying for a new driving licence has declined in the last three years, but the number of women applying for a driving licence has gone up by 2.5%.

Infiniti EX35

The EX35 is a slightly smaller and more mainstream SUV than its FX bigger brother from which it takes its core 'coupe SUV' theme.  Despite the coupe design references, the vehicle is similar proportionally to the Lexus RX300 and BMW X3 which it will compete with in the US - and also in Europe when the Infiniti brand debuts next year.  Little different to the Infiniti EX concept shown in New York, the EX35 uses the core Infiniti graphic design signatures and soft form language but introduces a new flowing side feature line not seen on the Infiniti G37 Coupe launched a few months ago. Interesting technical innovations include the 'Around View Monitor' that uses four cameras to give a 'top-down view' of the outside of the car, and 'Scratch Shield' - a new self-healing clearcoat paint. Related Stories: Infiniti EX concept - New York Auto Show 2007 Infiniti G37 Coupe - New York Auto Show 2007

Readers chat it up live with AW associate editor Jon Wong

For those who have ever stared longingly at a Mazda RX-8, or who love the symphony of a Honda four-cylinder engine turning at 200 rpm short of the redline and the tactile joy of the shifter sliding flawlessly from gear to gear, you have a friend in AutoWeek associate editor Jon Wong. On Friday, readers took the opportunity for a virtual mind meld, as Jon fielded questions in an online chat at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.