Rear Disc Brake Rotors Set Pair For Land Rover Discovery on 2040-parts.com

For new CAFE rules, automakers place high-stakes tech bets

Game-changing 2015 fuel economy rules are forcing vehicle development teams to make high-stakes bets on expensive technologies--bets that will separate the winners from the also-rans. Not only do federal rules target a 2015 fleet average of 35.5 mpg, up from the current 27.5 mpg for cars and 23.1 mpg for light trucks; they force automakers to bet on different technology packages for each vehicle segment. Companies that do best at mixing technologies while keeping down costs will have an advantage when buyers wince at higher stickers.

Drivers walk to avoid parking fees

DRIVERS are voting with their feet over parking charges, with most prepared to walk so they do not have to pay. On average, drivers are willing to walk up to half a mile to dodge parking charges, a survey from market research company Viewsbank found. A fifth of motorists were prepared to walk a mile or more rather than pay up, with only 11% saying they would rather pay than walk, the poll of 2,053 drivers revealed.

Ford Figo Saloon Concept is the new KA Concept with a boot

The Ford Figo Saloon Concept (pictured) debuts in India The Ford Figo is a last generation Ford Fiesta built for emerging markets in India, but this new Ford Figo Concept appears to be a next generation Ford KA with a boot. Looking just like the new Ford KA Concept from Brazil – which got a European outing in Barcelona in December - the Figo Concept is a next-generation Ford KA with a an extra bit on the back and aimed at emerging markets. That ‘emerging markets’ aim seems clear when one of the major selling points, according to Ford, is the flexible architecture of the power door mirrors that makes it far less likely the mirror will be ripped off when hit by a passing car.