In the past, unrestricted vehicle sales were only limited to cars built before the Cuban revolution of 1959, giving the streets of Cuba a unique backdrop of Chevrolet Bel Airs, Chrysler Imperials and Studebaker Commanders. Decades under Cuba’s communist regime had prevented its people from purchasing land or new automobiles but finally, a new law legalizing the sale and purchase of any model and any year of cars for all citizens will take effect this Sunday. Cubans will also be allowed ownership of more than one car.

The new laws are passed in hopes to shift a free-market reform, allowing citizens to perform some private enterprise and to rent out rooms or hire employees as well.

In accordance to the new law for vehicle purchases, cars that the state could once seize from Cubans who decide to emigrate can now be transferred to a relative or sold outright. Now, any transaction between a buyer and seller require both parties to pay a 4 percent tax. Moreover, the buyer must be able to show that the money used for the purchase was obtained legally. What this means is the buyers will go to a state-owned dealership to prove that the money used for the purchase of the vehicle was salary earned from an approved field. Money given to the buyer by relatives abroad do not apply.

While this makes it easier than the past, the number of citizens that can actually make enough money to take advantage of the law are wealthy doctors, sponsored athletes, and individuals that have traveled abroad and were eligible to import a car.

Along with things like baseball and celebrities, America is known for its cars. It might surprise you to learn then that in a newly compiled list of the top auto-producing nations, the U.S. of A. doesn’t place very highly. In fact, according to the European Automobile Manufacturer’s Association of a total 58,478,810 cars produced last year the U.S. ranks just 7th, responsible for assembling some 1.2 million cars.

As for the top spot, it might not surprise you to learn that the world’s most populous nation, China, ranks first, churning out some 13.9 million vehicles. In second place is Japan (8.3 million), then South Korea, Brazil and India.

If the European Union member states were to rate as a single country however, then they would finish in the top spot. Last year more than 15 million plus units, were produced in the EU.

Given this rather bizarre and perhaps biased survey (the list only includes cars, and not trucks, which America produces plenty of) it begs the question, with Europe currently in the economic doldrums and experiencing near record unemployment in some member states, who in the heck is buying all these cars?

[Source: Woman on Wheels]

Given how hotly contested the full-size pickup truck market has become in recent years, those manufacturers participating are constantly looking for ways to one-up each other. Most recently, in the half-ton segment, Ram has attempted to do such a thing by going after the fleet crowd with its 2012 model year 1500 Tradesman Heavy Duty.

Although only offered as a no frills work truck, which means just two-wheel drive, a regular cab and eight foot box, the Heavy Duty Tradesman is essentially a half-ton, entry-level rig with 3/4 ton cargo and towing capacity, something the brand believes will appeal to value conscious commercial buyers during these hard, Dickensian times. Besting both Ford and GM’s current entry level work trucks in terms of loading and hauling capability doesn’t hurt either.

Ram has also been playing around with other 1500 options and features, in the Express line, for example, buyers can now opt for Quad and Crew Cab configurations, as well as a Ram box  bed in six foot, four-inch configuration.

Considering that the Express Quad starts at $28,050 and the Crew version at $30,010 (with standard 5.7-liter Hemi V8 no less) these new configurations and the HD Tradesman should be enough of an incentive for more folks to consider stopping by their local Ram showroom.

GALLERY: RAM 1500 Tradesman HD

Looking to find a Ferrari Enzo at a steal of a price? Preferably one without water damage? Then look no further than Dubai where this ultra-rare Ferrari supercar sits abandoned in the sun.

While there are folks in Dubai that can afford to simply toss away a million dollar Enzo, this car, found sitting in a police impound, appears to be one of a growing number of vehicles left behind by people fleeing the country’s strict bankruptcy laws.

With just 400 Enzos ever made (the 400th being a gift to the Pope), this 651-hp V12-powered exotic is destined to be one of the most valuable Ferraris ever.

GALLERY: Abandoned Ferrari Enzo

[Source: MotorAuthority]

General Motors will be offering the industry’s first front center air bag in select vehicles. This inflatable restraint will help to protect drivers and front passengers in far-side impact crashes where the affected occupant is on the opposite, non-struck side of the vehicle.

You’re going to have to wait a bit for the new front center air bag – it will be introduced on the 2013 Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Chevrolet Traverse midsize crossovers (it will come standard on Acadia and Traverse with power seats and all Enclaves).

Here’s how it works: found in between the front row seats near the center of the vehicle, the tethered, tubular air bag deploys from the right side of the driver’s seat. It protects the driver when they are the only occupant in the event of a passenger-side crash. When there is a driver and a front passenger, it acts as energy absorbing cushion in both driver- and passenger-side crashes. As well, it will offer protection if your vehicle is involved in a rollover accident.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System database, far-side impact crashes account 11 percent of the belted front occupant fatalities in non-rollover impacts between 2004 and 2009 involving 1999 model year or newer vehicles. The stats go on to show that in these far-side fatalities, where the occupant is on the non-struck side of the vehicle, also represent 29 percent of all the belted front occupant fatalities in side impact crashes.

Partnering with technology supplier Takata, GM’s front center air bag took three years to develop. It went through a series of designs to address packaging, cushioning, and restraint issues that could occur in different crash and occupant position scenarios.

Even though the front center air bag is not required by federal regulation, it will add to the vehicles’ third-party crash test performance results. “The front center airbag has real potential to save lives in side crashes,” said Adrian Lund, president of the insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  “GM and Takata are to be commended for taking the lead in this important area.”

Watch the video of the air bag in action after the jump.

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Maserati gave us our first look at its upcoming Kubang SUV at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It didn’t make out Top 10 list of show reveals. Not even close. While an excellent idea and vital for the survival of the brand, other than from straight-on, the luxury truck just doesn’t look right.

Perhaps the SUV’s biggest issue is that it’s hard to live up to designs as beautiful as the GranTurismo. Still, we expect more from an Italian automaker.

Based on the response there’s hope Maserati will re-jig the Kubang’s look. No official production details have been given, but with the car based on the same platform as the 2012 Mercedes ML (and Jeep Grand Cherokee), there’s little doubt it could hit dealers within a year.

To help keep interest alive, Maserati has released a video of the Kubang, some of which displays terrible CGI. But with added dimensions, is your opinion of the Kubang any different?

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Lamborghini will make a decision on its third model by the end of the year says CEO Stephan Winkelmann, and so far an SUV seems more likely than a super sedan.

Rumors have continued to surface that both a successor to the LM SUV or a production version of the Estoque concept would join the Aventador and Gallardo in the Italian brand’s lineup and the decision looks to favor emerging markets where a high-riding AWD machine would be better suited.

In an interview Lambo’s Asia-Pacific head Christian Mastra comments that in informal discussions with customers in markets like India, China and Brazil, the majority favor an SUV. Plus, Mastra comments, the brand already has history with trucks.

Lambo has already made it clear that this third vehicle is intended to be an every-day car. ‘‘The aim is to go for a car that you can use every day, not a fun car to use on Saturdays,’’ says Mastra.

As for other details, Mastra says the new vehicle will stay true to Lambo’s wild DNA, and could even use a turbocharged engine.

[Source: TheAge]

Chrysler is issuing a recall for a small number of vehicles equipped with the new 3.6-liter “Pentastar” V6. According to the automaker a total of 657 vehicles may be affected and could exhibit a loss of power as a result of manufacturing debris left in the engine.

Chrysler saws the problem was caught early on, but not until those 657 models had been shipped out. Models affected include the Chrysler 200, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Journey, Durango, Grand Caravan and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Chrysler says it will be sending out letters to retail and fleet customers in October, but that the majority of the vehicles have yet to be sold.

Despite being the consistent number one seller of pickup trucks in the U.S. with its every popular F-150, the Ford Motor Company is wisely choosing not to rest on its laurels.

After the big splash of new powertrain options for 2011, the folks in Dearborn are attempting to stay ahead of the curve by donning their sales champ with a number of upgrades for 2012.

Perhaps most noticeable, is the debut of a new, rather sinister looking FX appearance package (shown), which sports flat black accents, special 20-inch flat black finished alloy wheels with stylized exterior graphics and ID lettering. Inside, the FX incorporates black upholstery surfaces, including the seats, which sport contrasting red piping and perforation inserts.

Red stitching on the steering wheel and brushed metal accents round things off. An FX luxury package is also available which adds both heated and cooled front bucket seats.

On the greasy bit front, Ford has added electronic locking rear differentials on trucks equipped with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost and 5.0-liter V8 engines, as well as an updated 4×4 system with a fully automatic selection mode. In addition all 4 x 4 F-150s now have the ability to be flat towed, while a new Hill Start assist feature has been added to prevent the truck from rolling back on inclines. In addition, EcoBoost powered rigs get a boost (pun intended) when it comes to operating range, thanks to a new 36 gallon fuel tank which now permits some 756 miles worth of driving between fill ups.

GALLERY: 2012 Ford F-150 FX Appearance Package

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost Review

It seems that retired racing legend Al Unser Jr. still likes to make headlines… but this time, it’s for all the wrong reasons. It’s been confirmed that the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner has been arrested on charges of drunken driving and reckless driving in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

According to Bernalillo County sheriff’s spokeswoman Jennifer Brown, Unser was arrested Thursday morning in Albuquerque, where he lives. The police pulled him over for drag racing in his Suburban – they clocked him going over 100 mph. Instead of a trophy and sponsorship endorsements, he was awarded charges of reckless driving and aggravated driving while intoxicated.

Unser was released from jail on his own recognizance. We will fill you in with more details as they become available.

[Source: AP]