Rumors & Lies* Someone paid $5.5 million for an old Shelby Cobra at the Barrett-Jackson auction in January. Let us say what's on everyone's mind: idiot.
* Ford chief Alan Mullaly has promised a 'One Ford' global design theme and product line for the entire planet in around seven years. Hey, we might get a real updated Focus by then.
* Subaru has not only signed X-Games star Travis Pastrana to a three-year contract for its Subaru Rally Team USA, but there are rumors he may be the new face of some of their ads. And there may even be something like a Travis Edition STI coming.
* Toyota is supposedly looking to build its next US plant in either Arkansas or Tennessee. Why? It's the beaches, of course.
* Toyota is also supposed to be looking into building a 'world car' to sell in under-developed countries (or just countries full of cheapskates) for about $7000.
* Rumors are flying, once again, that DaimlerChrysler may split itself back into Daimler and, erm, Chrysler. Ho-hum.
* According to Hagerty Insurance, the top 10 future collector vehicles are the Toyota FJ Cruiser, MINI Cooper, Lotus Elise, Dodge Viper, Acura NSX, Toyota Scion, Audi TT, Jaguar XK, Chrysler 300 and Smart Fortwo. So stock up while they're still cheap and we'll see you at Barrett-Jackson in 2044.
* By the way, SCC figures the best collector car of the future will be the Mitsubishi Evo IX MR. And there won't be a lot of clean examples left in a decade. We've got six new ones, all sitting preserved in cosmoline at our parents' houses.