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GM contacting Chevrolet Volt owners as NHTSA investigates battery fire

General Motors on Monday said it is contacting all owners of the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid to reassure them that the car is safe as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigates a battery fire from a Volt that was crash-tested. GM said any Volt owner who had safety concerns would be offered a different GM car as a loaner vehicle. Executives also stressed during a teleconference that the battery issues were seen only in vehicles in the crash tests.

Major restrictions suggested for learner drivers

A NEW report on potential changes to young driver training could cut accident casualties by more than 4,000 a year. The report, from transport research group TRL, recommends teenagers should not be allowed to take their driving test until they are 18, rather than the current threshold of 17. They would have to have a 12-month "learner stage" beginning at 17 with a requirement for at least 100 hours of day-time and 20 hours of night-time supervised practice.

Nissan Pathfinder

Nissan has revealed the production version of its latest Pathfinder SUV, first seen in concept form at this year's NAIAS in Detroit. It moves away from the outgoing model in terms of form language, introducing a far more organic and car-like aesthetic. The 2013 model is almost 230kg lighter than its predecessor with a monocoque bodyshell that allowed Nissan designers to create a more aerodynamic exterior without losing headroom or trunk capacity.