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Industry pulse: NHTSA administrator David Strickland talks distracted driving

Editor's note: In an exclusive interview with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration administrator David Strickland, Melanie Batenchuk of Be Car Chic asked about distracted driving and the agency's combined efforts with the Department of Transportation to curb this bad behavior. David Strickland has been championing safer, distraction-free driving since the beginning of his tenure at NHTSA in January 2010. Strickland has been working tirelessly toward this goal alongside stakeholders such as Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, private-sector executives, automobile manufacturers and safety advocacy groups.

New Mercedes A Class: 90,000 orders and counting

Mercedes boss Dieter Zetsche has revealed that Mercedes already has 90,000 orders for the new A-Class just months after its reveal. It’s a credible, good looking and clever car that’s a serious offering in the premium compact market and, if the order book for 70,000 A-Class Mercedes already had by the end of October is anything to go by, it’s going to be a roaring success. That sales figure has now jumped to 90,000 A-Class – according to Mercedes boss, Dieter Zetsche – and stands at double the order book Volkswagen has for the new MK 7 Golf.

Ferrari 250 GTO #3851 GT disappoints at $38 million

The Ferrari 250 GTO #3851 GT makes ‘just’ $38 million Last month, we reported that a Ferrari 250 GTO was due to hit the auction room at Bonhams Quail Lodge sale and was expected to hit a massive record price, with estimates ranging from $60-100 million. On that basis, the sale was a complete failure. In fact, the 250 GTO – previously owned by Fabrizio Violati – managed to reach a relatively paltry $38.1 million (£22.8 million), with the actual price (before buyers premium) ‘just’ $34.6 million (£20.7 million).