Polaris 2201034 Kit,lever on 2040-parts.com

Ford's NA Design Director aims to shorten product lifecycles

Peter Horbury, Ford Motor Company North America Design Director, has told Automotive News he intends to shorten product lifecycles at the ailing company from an average five years to three years starting this decade. "We feel there is no value in minor changes but a huge value in major changes," Horbury told the industry weekly. Ford needs to ensure that buyers continue visiting showrooms as the giant automaker struggles to retain market share.

Ford builds it, you test it

Only a select few usually get the opportunity to test out upcoming vehicles. Ford is bucking that trend by allowing customers to sign up at BuiltToughTest.com, and get the chance to explain how they would put the aluminum reinforced 2015 Ford F-150 to the test. Product development does extensive testing to the extremes, going as far as disguising the F-150 and running it through the 2013 Baja 1000.

Honda CR-Z at Detroit motor show 2010

Honda has today debuted the production version of its CR-Z hybrid sports coupe at the 2010 Detroit motor show. The styling is inspired by the old CRX, but under the skin the CR-Z is pure 21st century hybrid. Featuring a 1.5-litre petrol engine with 108bhp and 71lb ft torque, the CR-Z produces 122bhp and 128lb ft in total thanks to the boost provided by its IMA parallel hybrid system.