Mercedes McLaren is producing the last copies of SLR Stirling Moss which will practically end a true era of the great super car. How did all begin?

In 2004 the serial version of the Mercedes McLaren SLR Coupe appeared for the first time as the two companies staying behind its production had decided to revive the legendary history of SLR racing models from the 50s of the last century.

Since then, there have been five different versions in the SLR family - two coupes, two roadsters and McLaren Speedster Stirling Moss.

According to a Ford spokeswoman Saturday, holding a strike authorisation vote, the workers of Ford Motor Co. and United Auto have succeeded in resolving their disputes over Missouri plant work issues.

Marcey Evans, the Ford spokeswoman says, concerns raised by local members were resolved and closed after a team of senior Ford executives, national UAW leaders and UAW Local 249 leaders reached an agreement late Friday.

Taking safety measures a step further, Ford has announced that its eagerly awaited Ford Explorer, due for release in about a year, will be equipped with seatbelt airbags for backseat passengers as well. With this move, the company has become the first manufacturer to offer this facility.

Providing backseat passengers with an additional safety measure, the airbags will be sewn into the shoulder portion of the seat belts fitted in the rear. These will deploy outward and sidewise, less slowly and with decreased force as compared to the front-seat airbags.

About a week before the arrival of President Barack Obama to China for the first time, the U.S. has forced preliminary duties on the oil pipes which are being imported from China.

After a day of that announcement, the Ministry of Commerce in China has announced that it was starting an anti - dumping investigation into American cars as the tension amidst the countries increase.

Ford Motor Co. had good news for the crisis- ridden US car industry Thursday, reporting a 2.3 billion dollar profit in the second quarter of 2009 thanks to one-time items.

The figure compares with the 8.7 billion dollars in losses which the Detroit, Michigan-based concern had posted in the second quarter last year.

In its ongoing operations, Ford lost 638 million dollars in the quarter, cutting the red ink by half from the losses in the previous year period, a performance surpassing analysts' expectations.

South Korean carmaker Hyundai Motor Co made a record profit in the second quarter despite falling sales, the company said Thursday.

Profits for the April-June quarter rose 48.4 per cent year-on-year to 811.9 billion won (649 million US dollars).

The company benefited from a depreciation in the won, tax incentives to buy cars in South Korea, and growth in China and India.

Year-on-year sales fell by 11.3 per cent to 8.1 trillion won.

Michael Macht is taking over as Porsche chief, having helped the legendary sports carmaker's outgoing head to steer the company through some of its most turbulent times.

Italian industrial group Fiat which earlier this year took control of US car giant Chrysler, reported Wednesday a second-quarter net loss of 179 million euros (250 million dollars), compared with a net income of 646 million euros for the same period in 2008.