Rock Products Lif310 Valve Lifter/tappet-engine Valve Lifter on 2040-parts.com

Ford Fiesta deliveries delayed, storm-damaged rail lines blamed

Ford Motor Co.'s shipments of the 2011 Ford Fiesta subcompact to U.S. dealerships will be delayed by 10 days to two weeks because of storm-damaged railroad lines. Key railroads in northern Mexico were severely damaged by Hurricane Alex on June 30 and later by Tropical Storm Bonnie, said Angie Kozleski, a Ford spokeswoman.

Fiat partners with Politecnico di Milano for new Masters course

Fiat Group Automobiles and the Politecnico di Milano Industrial Design, Arts, Communication and Fashion Department (INDACO) will join efforts in managing a Master in Transportation & Automobile Design course. The first classes are set to begin in October 2008. The course is aimed at forming new car designers, focusing on the development of their creativity, in an innovative way.

Future products: Kia seeks lively, upscale look

Kia's redesigned Optima sedan and the Cadenza replacement for the Amanti, both due next year, reflect an emphasis on creating a livelier and more upscale look for the once-bland brand. Indeed, styling has been a crucial element of Kia's new-product push in the past 18 months. The team at Kia Design Center America near Los Angeles--part of the automaker's global design network led by onetime Audi design chief Peter Schreyer--has helped set the new styling direction.