Why Ferraris Are Getting Ugly

(NEWSER) - Detroit needs to heed Henry Ford's advice and take failure as "the opportunity to begin again more intelligently," Sebastian Thrum and Anthony Levandowski write in the New York Times. Here are four technologies that can help the Big Three automakers turn things around:

• Car-to-car communication: Wireless technology will allow vehicles and traffic signals to communicate with each other, reducing accidents by up to 30%.

Steve McQueen's cachet will be tested when Christie's auctions off his Ferrari

(NEWSER) - Growling exhaust and a thumping V-12 engine doesn't usually garner $2 million at luxury auctions, but then this speedster was once owned by a movie star “synonymous with cars, horsepower, racing.” It's Steve McQueen who used to cruise in this ’63 Ferrari, a classic so polished that even the door trim screws are handpicked to perfection. But is McQueen’s name still strong enough to make this baby sell like a Bullitt? More»

Gizmos proliferate amid concerns on distracted driving

(NEWSER) - Imagine cruising down the highway at 65mph while checking tweets, buying movie tickets online, or booking reservations at a restaurant. This scenario is the not-too-distant future of driving, reports the Wall Street Journal , as auto manufacturers seek to design an innovative "connected car" full of Internet-accessible gadgetry. The push for a tech-infused car comes as a national push for rules banning phones in cars seems to be fizzling out and automakers look to entice the youth demographic. More»

Carmaker's new policy will affect German employees' BlackBerries

(NEWSER) - Some workers in Germany will no longer have to worry about getting an email from the boss during dinner. Volkswagen has agreed to loosen the digital shackles by shutting down email service on their employees' BlackBerries during non-work hours, kissing the typical 24-hour accessibility goodbye. Europe's largest car manufacturer set the new—and very rare—policy as part of an agreement with labor reps, reports Reuters . More»

$16K auto part lets fans build classic car from scratch

(NEWSER) - The 1967 Ford Mustang is no longer an endangered species. Just in time for classic car buffs' Christmas, Ford has added a brand-new shell for the '67 Mustang convertible to its Ford Restoration Parts line, giving enthusiasts a chance to build their own from scratch, the Los Angeles Times reports. The $16,000 auto part is built with modern techniques that make it stronger than the original, Motor Authority notes. More»