Mercedes Ml350 Resonator (2009) (2010) on 2040-parts.com

Shocking bald tyre sparks safety warning

A TYRE that was completely bald after being taken off a high-performance BMW has sparked warnings from tyre safety charity TyreSafe. The shocking pictures of the incredibly dangerous tyre, whose owner is lucky to be alive, show the extent of the lengths to which some people are pushing the limits of safety. As it is, the tyre would be almost completely ineffective in wet or damp conditions, and how the driver had avoided an accident is a mystery.

Ikuo Maeda to replace Laurens van den Acker as General Manager of Design at Mazda

Ikuo Maeda has been appointed General Manager of Mazda Motor Corporation's Design Division. He replaces Laurens van den Acker, who has decided to leave Mazda to pursue other interests. Following on from the successful tenure of van den Acker, Maeda will lead the Japanese automaker's global design team and be responsible for the overall design and styling of Mazda's global products.

GM greenlights Chevy Spark, Orlando for production

Two more fuel-sipping Chevrolets will be coming to North America in 2011. The Chevy Beat concept is now called the Spark, and along with the Orlando multi-purpose vehicle, has been greenlighted for production. They will be sold around the world, including in the United States.