Subaru Xv 2013 Left Fender Panel [7510700] on 2040-parts.com

Cuba removes new car purchase restrictions

Granma, the Communist Party’s newspaper of record in Cuba, said Wednesday that the Council of Ministers approved regulations that “eliminate existing mechanisms of approval for the purchase of motor vehicles from the state.” That means the sale of new and used cars will be allowed to the public. Up until now, Cubans could buy and sell vehicles to each other, but they had to request permission from the government to purchase a new vehicle -- the main reason for the island's unique automotive landscape. The new laws will be enacted gradually, according to Granma, with a set minimum price.

Italian businessman buys Pininfarina plant for aluminum-vehicle project

Defeated twice in his attempts to buy Carrozzeria Bertone S.p.A., Gianmario Rossignolo has signed a preliminary deal to rent and run one of Pininfarina S.p.A. three plants. Rossignolo, 79, a flamboyant executive who worked at Fiat and Swedish ball-bearing maker SKF, needs the Pininfarina plant for its Innovation in Auto Industry S.p.A.

Acura retools lineup to put the focus on mpg

Honda will overhaul and reposition its Acura lineup over the next 18 months and abandon its long pursuit of top-tier luxury-car status for the brand. After years of trying to propel Acura into the front ranks with Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Lexus, Honda says it will settle for offering mid-level premium vehicles that favor fuel economy over performance. With one exception: At the Detroit auto show in January, Honda will bring back the Ferrari-fighting Acura NSX--a new version of the mid-engine supercar that disappeared in 2005 after a 15-year run.