GM names Troy Clarke as new North America president. Nick Reilly to Succeed Clarke as President of GM Asia Pacific

Troy Clarke has been appointed president of GM North America and GM group vice president, effective July 1, General Motors Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner announced today.

Clarke, president of GM Asia Pacific since 2004, will work closely with Wagoner in implementing the GMNA turnaround plan, and will oversee day-to-day operations of GM's largest sales region. Wagoner has been leading GMNA since April 2005 to develop and drive the region's turnaround strategy.

"While much work remains to be done, we have reached several significant milestones in our turnaround plan over the past year," Wagoner said. "This is the right time to turn the region's day-to-day operations over to Troy, who has the experience and skills to help lead the GMNA team as it continues this unprecedented restructuring. Troy has a track record of success in general management, manufacturing and labor relations in the United States and globally, which will be invaluable in his new assignment."

Wagoner said he and his senior leadership team will continue to be actively involved in executing the next key steps in the GMNA turnaround plan, including a successful resolution of the Delphi reorganization; completion of the accelerated attrition and capacity-reduction programs, and achievement of the $7 billion structural cost-reduction target; flawless launches of key new cars, trucks and advanced technologies; and ongoing refinement and acceleration of GM's brand and product-focused marketing strategy.

David "Nick" Reilly, a GM vice president and president and CEO of GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. in South Korea, will replace Clarke as president of GM Asia Pacific and will become a GM group vice president, also effective July 1. Reilly also will succeed Clarke as chairman of the GMDAT Board of Directors. A replacement for Reilly as CEO of GMDAT will be announced at a later date.

"Nick has demonstrated his managerial strength, most recently in growing GM Daewoo into a profitable enterprise that has quickly become a key part of our global expansion plans, well in advance of what was generally expected," Wagoner said. "The success of GM Daewoo is a tribute to Nick's leadership and commitment."

Vice Chairman John Devine, 62, who announced in December that he planned to retire this year, has decided to make his retirement effective June 1, Wagoner said.

"We all owe John a tremendous debt of gratitude for his vast contributions to GM over the past five years," Wagoner said. "John took on a number of challenging and important assignments during his tenure as vice chairman and chief financial officer. His extensive experience and expertise in the auto business, along with the respect he enjoys on Wall Street, enabled him to contribute to our turnaround in an exceptional manner."

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Toyota Recalls 1 million cars globally

Toyota announced on Tuesday that it would recall a total of about 1 million vehicles globally to replace faulty intermediate shafts and sliding yokes that could cause drivers to lose control of the steering wheel -although the company said it didn't receive any reports of accidents from the defects.

According to the statement, subject to the recall are a total of 565,756 vehicles (Allex, Isis, Wish, Prius, Corolla, Corolla Runx, Corolla Fielder, Corolla Spacio, and Ractis) manufactured between September 2002 and November 2005. A Toyota spokesman said the recall would also cover about 400,000 units overseas.

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Bugatti Veyron Doors vs Tom Cruise = Mission Impossible…

This is a no comment video …just hilarious!

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Maserati MC12 Corsa : The 1.000.000 euro car

Maserati announced the production of the MC12 Corsa, a supercar build-to-order for a select number of Maserati clients. Total production of the Maserati MC12 Corsa will not exceed 12 units worldwide.

The MC12 Corsa has been developed from the MC12 GT1 type which won the 2005 FIA GT Manufacturers Cup, and will allow its owners to test their driving capability in the most exclusive gentlemen drivers’ environment. It will be used exclusively on track during private test sessions - or exhibition activities organised by Maserati. It will not be homologated for road use or for any racing activities.

The Maserati MC12 Corsa – living testimony of Maserati’s ability to individually tailor-make specially produced high-tech cars - will be on sale at the price of 1,000,000 Euros (plus tax) starting from next Autumn. Available in the official Maserati “Blue Victory” color, it can be personalized upon request with several optional items, starting from a different colour upon request by the client.

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Volkswagen Eos "5th Gear" Test Video

Nice first drive video of the all new Volkswagen Eos Coupe-Cabrio from the guys over "5th Gear" during the official presentation of the car in Athens. So is VW's new hard top worth the fuss? Click below to find out “5th Gears” first impressions.

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Opel Astra Twin Top Commercial

This commercial of the Opel Astra Twin Top –Vauxhall in GB, is airing in the UK. It shows the coupe-cabrio version of the Astra as a surfer puting a fight in sea.

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Porsche 911 GT3 RS unleashed for road and track

In October, Porsche will launch the new 911 GT3 RS in Europe while sales for the North American market will start from March 2007.

The GT3 RS is distinguished by its performance capability and an unadulterated driving experience similar to that of a racing car. But while particularly suited for use on the track, the car also meets all requirements for road-legal sports cars.

The reference "RS" will quicken the pulse of Porsche connoisseurs. Models such as the legendary Carrera RS 2.7 of 1972 and the 1991 Type 964 911 RS were also sports cars that stood out on account of their extreme degree of maneuverability and handling. That tradition is continued with the new 911 GT3 RS. In common with its predecessors, it provides an homologation model for use in a range of racing series.

The powerful, normally aspirated engine boasts a displacement of 3.6-litres to generate 305kW (415 bhp) at 7,600rpm. Maximum revs are reached at 8,400rpm. The power output per litre of engine capacity is 115.3 bhp. These figures are shared with the recently-announced 911 GT3, but bespoke drivetrain components in the RS ensures it puts in an even better performance. Thanks to a close-ratio six-speed transmission with a single-mass flywheel and 20kg lower vehicle weight, the engine revs up even more freely, thus enabling the 911 GT3 to sprint from zero to 100kph (62mph) in 4.2 seconds. That's one tenth of a second faster than the GT3. And it takes just 13.3 seconds to hit to 200kph (124mph). Maximum speed is 310kph (187mph).

One characteristic of the new RS is the body, which is 44mm wider at the rear (a legacy from the Carrera 4 models with which it shares its shell) by comparison with the 911 GT3. The muscular-looking rear end conceals a wider track that not only improves directional stability but also increases the potential cornering grip of the two-seater coupe.

Despite its specialised body, the RS is 20kg lighter than the GT3, weighing in at just 1375kg. This weight-saving was achieved by the use, amongst other solutions, of an adjustable carbon fibre wing, the use of a plastic rear lid and a lightweight plastic rear window. As a consequence, the corresponding engine power to kerb weight ratio is over 300bhp per tonne.

With a view to the registration regulations for the important GT motor racing championships as future fields of application, the road version of the GT3 RS features technical attributes that will also appear in the racing version. These solutions will include the design of the entire wheel carrier and split wishbones on the rear axle, in addition to the carbon fibre components of the body.

The interior of the 911 GT3 RS lives up to the vehicle's sporting aspirations: two lightweight bucket seats made of carbon fibre composite materials come as standard, together with a bolted-in roll cage and pre-wiring for a battery master switch. A six-point seatbelt for the driver and a fire extinguisher are also provided. Internal trims are black, with the roof lining, steering wheel and gear stick trimmed in high-quality Alcantara leather.

The available exterior paint finishes are Arctic Silver metallic or Black; as an option, the GT3 can also be obtained in Orange or Green. All vehicle insignia and the wheels themselves are styled in orange or black to contrast with the body paintwork.

The retail price for the 911 GT3 RS is £94,280, including a Porsche Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), a sophisticated vehicle security package approved to Thatcham Category 5 standard, and a Porsche Driving Experience programme.

The basic price for the 911 GT3 RS is €111,600 (excluding country-specific requirements). In Germany, the coupe costs €129,659 including sales tax. The GT3 RS will also be available for sale on the North American market from March 2007.

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