Ford(F) plans to launch a joint venture to make and sell Ford vehicles in Russia. Ford and Russia's Sollers signed an agreement Friday to launch the 50:50 joint venture. Sollers is the second largest maker of passenger and light commercial cars in Russia. Ford Sollers will make a range of Ford passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, the companies said in a statement.

The venture is expected to begin operations by the end of 2011. Ford Sollers also will make engines. Ford has been making cars in Russia since 2002, the automaker said. The companies have applied to the Russian government for approval of the joint venture. The Ford/Sollers announcement was made shortly after Fiat, the Italian automaker, backed out of a potential partnership with Sollers, The Associated Press reports. -- Written by Joseph Woelfel >To contact the writer of this article, click here: Joseph Woelfel >To submit a news tip, send an email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . [Read the full article]

Mazda Motor Corp. may pull out from a U.S. factory it operates jointly with Ford Motor Co. after production turned unprofitable, Chief Financial Officer Kiyoshi Ozaki said. Japan(TM)s second-largest car exporter will announce plans for the Flat Rock, Michigan, factory by middle of this year, Ozaki told reporters in Tokyo today. The company may also consider overhauling the plant or change the models built there, he said without elaboration. The plant needs to run at 70 percent of its full 240,000 capacity to make profit, Ozaki said earlier today. Mazda, based in Hiroshima, aims to introduce a more fuel-efficient engine to spur demand and increase domestic production to improve economies of scale after slipping into a third-quarter loss. The company(TM)s U.S. sales fell 9 percent in January, as increased incentives on Toyota Motor Corp.(TM)s Corolla compact, and demand for Hyundai Motor Co.(TM)s Elantra sapped demand for the Mazda3, Ozaki said. The automaker will need to adjust U.S. [Read the full article]

At some point, and for some of us it's more often than we like, we get fed up with the guy driving in front of us who cut us off, goes too slow, or simply drives like an idiot. While we're all supposed to stay cool, not scream, honk, or, give the other guy a one finger salute. But that is easier said than done. Now, there are new smart phone apps that let you sound off on bad drivers. "Drivemecrazy" and "Fail Driver" are two apps you can download for free so you can "ticket" those who need to get a clue on the road. Since launching late last year, both apps have recorded thousands of complaints about distracted driving, people running red lights, and drivers littering on the highway. Yes, they've also had some folks send in compliments for people driving good behind the wheel, but for the most part, the apps are about blasting bad drivers. [Read the full article]