Pontiac Grand Am Temp Controls on 2040-parts.com

Local Motors Announces Texas Competition

New American car company Local Motors has announced the Texas Motors competition, the 19th design contest initiated by the Boston based start-up company. The deadline for submissions is February 10, 2010. The brief, which asks entrants to design a dynamic and capable hunting vehicle for the gamers of the largest US state, stipulates that the vehicle should be a ready-made solution for hunters of every variety, whether hunting stags or fowl.

Future products: Acura will push for luxury credentials without V8, RWD

The dreams of getting a V8 engine, rear-wheel-drive platforms and a sports car to replace the NSX have died for Acura dealers. Now the question is whether Acura can follow Audi's lead and elevate its brand from premium to luxury with front- and all-wheel-drive platforms. Meanwhile, Acura may return to two segments that it had abandoned by adding a compact car and a coupe.

Americans plan to keep their cars longer, AutoPacific study finds

In another chilling sign that auto sales are likely to remain stalled, a new study finds that Americans intend to keep their cars longer, indicating a general concern about the industry and the overall economy. The number of new-car buyers planning to keep their rides more than four years has risen to 59 percent, according to a study released Tuesday by California marketing research firm AutoPacific. That's an increase from last year, when about 45 percent of new buyers intended to wait more than four years for their next purchase, and it's up from 2005's tally of 46 percent.