What does a middle-aged male engineer know about the difficulties of driving a car while heavily pregnant? Quite a lot, says Clemens Marek, an ergonomics supervisor working on the new Ford Focus in Cologne, Germany. He used to think he could develop a vehicle for everyone. But that was before he tried on a special pregnancy suit. "It was a real eye-opener," Marek said. "After wearing it for an hour, it really hits home." The suit is used mainly to check the location of seatbelts. It consists of lead weights to simulate the weight of the baby, a "belly" containing 2kg of water, and a weighted pouch on the underside of the belly that simulates the foetal head resting and applying pressure on the bladder. It also includes a rib belt that constricts the lungs, simulating shortness of breath. The Focus will be launched in New Zealand later this year.
BMW top in China
BMW ranks first among 100 desired brands in China, above Rolex, Apple and Mercedes-Benz and Audi, according to Clear Asia, a Hong Kong-based consultancy. It surveyed 2500 consumers in China. "BMW has a very strong and attractive brand personality in China," said Oliver Cartwright, Clear Asia's managing director. Mercedes-Benz was ranked eighth, Audi 12th. The China survey was part of a worldwide study conducted by Clear, Clear Asia's parent company. Globally, BMW was No3 behind Apple and Google.
Peugeot 207 most reliable
The most reliable car made by a European carmaker is the Peugeot 207 - claims British insurer Warranty Direct. It analysed more than 20,000 warranties on three- to seven-year-old cars made by European companies and compared claims for repairs. Peugeot 207 experienced a 6 per cent repair rate under warranty in a year. .
Tape cassettes disappear
Tape cassettes have disappeared from new car instrument panels. As of this year, according to US tech-analysis firm iSuppli, no new vehicles will include a cassette player. Analysts predict CDs will be gone by 2015.
We are the world
* Church minister Marc Neal needed a miracle when repossession man Ken Falzini turned up to take away his Lexus sedan. But it was Falzini who ended up praying for help. He threw himself across the bonnet of the car when Neal drove off and was taken for a ride at speeds of up to 80km/h. Falzini told police in Akron, Ohio, that Neal was laughing during the ordeal. Neal said he thought it "disrespectful" for Falzini to try to repossess a preacher's car on a Sunday. Police charged Neal with assault.
* Amos Ashley knew he was wanted by police for stealing cars. So when he came across a highway patrol checkpoint in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, he told the cops his name was "Robert Taylor." They asked him to write it down. He wrote: "Rorth Taylor." They asked him to pronounce it. He said: "Robert Taylor." They asked him to write it again. He wrote: "Rerert Tayloer." Ashley, 62, tried several more variations of "Robert" and "Taylor" before he 'fessed up.
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