When General Motors first announced it was sending Pontiac packing, our first thought was a pang for the loss of the most excellent G8 GXP, followed quickly by concern for Holden, the automaker's Australian subsidiary. After all, the General's Australian arm had done well by providing America with left-hand-drive versions of the Commodore  to sail under the Poncho flag. Turns out Holden is now feeling the loss of that deal in a big way. According to a report in The Age, the company just announced a loss of $192 million USD. Thanks to the American thirst for Australian V8s, Holden pulled in $5.3 billion in revenue in 2008, but just $3.6 billion last year.

Surprise, surprise. The National Safety Council just released a report saying that all cell phone use while driving – even hands-free – is potentially dangerous and "risky behavior." The study includes some pretty scary figures, including this one: At any time, 11 percent of drivers on the road are on their phones at the same time. Even worse, the NSC estimates that one out of every four automobile accidents occur because the at-fault driver was on the phone. The NSC combed over and referenced 30 scientific studies and reports for its findings.

We all know the crap-your-pants sensation that comes along with seeing one of the boys in blue when you're doing something you shouldn't. It's usually accompanied by a phobia-like aversion of the throttle and an over familiarity with the brakes at the same time. If you're tearing it up on four wheels, inducing plenty of stopping power mid-turn will just make you look a fool. But, as our intrepid hero found out, grabbing a handful of brake on your favorite Kawasaki ZX-6R will have you kneeling at the asphalt altar in a hurry. Despite this guy's impressive slide, he's no Tanner Foust. This CHP officer hasn't had it this easy since training.

[Source: Hell for Leather via Asphalt & Rubber,Autoblog]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/29/video-biker-lowsides-on-mulhollnad-gives-chp-an-excuse/#continued

OOYYO's comment: I bet he never thought this clip would get splattered over the internet.

The new Ford Fiesta will be the first product vehicle from any of the Detroit automakers to have a dual clutch transmission, and production is starting today. The Ford PowerShift gearboxes are being built at the Getrag Americas joint venture factory in Irapuato, Mexico. At launch the plant is employing 200 people, a number that will double later this year when the plant also starts building the same transmissions for the 2012 Focus.

We think we'll need a bigger house, because the Ooyyo's fantasy living room keeps growing. It's already packed with Pininfarina desks, engine-block coffee tables, chairs designed to emulate F1 race cars and so much more. Now we've got a new couch to join those crafted to look like Aston Martins and Porsches.