Ford to slash price of Focus Electric by $4,000 for 2014

Ford will be reducing the price of its Ford Focus electric by $4,000 for the 2014 model year, InsideEVs.com is reporting. The 10 percent price cut will lower the starting MSRP from $39,995 (including a $795 destination charge) down to $35,995. This move by Ford is seen as an attempt to keep the electric car competitive since its release back in 2011.

IIHS names safest cars for 2013

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named the safest cars for 2013, including 13 midsize sedans that qualify for a new “top safety pick+” designation. The designation is given to vehicles that earn “good” ratings for occupant protection in at least four of five tests, with no less than “acceptable” in the fifth test. A new test -- the small overlap test -- was added to assess how the vehicles perform during a front-corner collision with another vehicle or object, such as a utility pole.

'Spen' King, father of the Range Rover, dies

Charles Spencer "Spen" King, a British engineer and father of the original Range Rover, died on June 26 at age 85. King passed away as a result of injuries sustained when his bicycle collided with a van earlier this month. King entered the auto business in 1942 as an apprentice for Rolls-Royce before going to work for his uncles, Spencer and Maurice Wilks, at Rover.