It is said that Diamond is the hardest material known to man. But according to scientist," a rare natural substance, called lonsdaleite, which is made from carbon atoms just like diamond, has emerged as 58 per cent harder than the gemstone, according to a report in the New Scientist. An international team, led by Zicheng Pan at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, simulated how atoms in two substances believed to have promise as very hard materials would respond to the stress of a finely tipped pro... Read Full Story

by Domenick YoneyThe crew from On Cars had a chance to spend some quality time with the Tesla Model S and some of the key people bringing this sweet sedan to fruition. In the first of three videos (the other two haven't been released yet), not only are we treated to some gorgeous shots of the Model S, inside and out, but also have the chance to listen to designer Franz von Holzhausen talk at length about the object of our fastback desire. If you've been paying attention to every detai... Read Full Story

PARIS, June 2 (Reuters) - French new car sales rose 11.9 percent in May, as scrapping incentive schemes and the shift to a new system of car licence plates boosted numbers, manufacturers' association CCFA said on Tuesday.The French government introduced a scrapping scheme -- whereby drivers get cash bonuses for trading in old cars for newer, greener models -- earlier this year, to boost flagging sales as French manufacturers PSA Peugeot Citroen (PEUP.PA) and Renault (RENA.PA), like their ... Read Full Story

By Jamie Page DeatonLet's see: unemployment is rising, consumer confidence is down, foreclosures are at all-time highs, and the government is bailing out banks. Sounds like the perfect time to go car shopping!No, we're not just saying that because car companies are good advertisers. It's actually true. If you're in the market for a car and have good credit -- or even the ability to pay cash -- you're looking at an incredible buyer's market. To put it simply, the auto i... Read Full Story

The cars of the near future will be lighter, more expensive and maybe smaller. Big engines will shrink. And more and more cars will be hybrids or diesel-powered vehicles like those common in Europe.Those aren't qualities that American consumers have rushed to embrace in the past. But the new fuel-efficiency and tailpipe-emissions standards unveiled yesterday at the White House will push automakers and motorists in a direction aimed at reducing U.S. oil dependence and the emissions of gree... Read Full Story

If you are an automobile fan and have a love of exotics, you have probably already heard the latest tragic but fascinating celebrity car crash story relating to Nicholas Cage and the Ferrari F430 wreck during a movie scene being filmed in New York City. Happening this week during a filming of the latest Walt Disney movie the "Sorcerers Apprentice", the New York Post quickly reported the incident.EXOTIC CARS ON DISPLAY IN THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION DRAW BIG CROWDSWatch the car show vide... Read Full Story

"Diamonds For Tears"In these days of man made wonders we still bicker over fliesWhen you come seeking for forgiveness, I'll be forced to choose my sideIf I deny you what you're searching, do I do it out of fearAm I ruling out my reason, killing that which I hold dearOut of my way I'm running, with an excuse just underwayReality's so daunting, and I've got no way to explainCos when you're sleeping right next to me, I know you're the oneSo when I hear you c... Read Full Story

"Diamonds For Tears"In these days of man made wonders we still bicker over fliesWhen you come seeking for forgiveness, I'll be forced to choose my sideIf I deny you what you're searching, do I do it out of fearAm I ruling out my reason, killing that which I hold dearOut of my way I'm running, with an excuse just underwayReality's so daunting, and I've got no way to explainCos when you're sleeping right next to me, I know you're the oneSo when I hear you c... Read Full Story

By Jim McLain General Motors Corp.’s decision to phase out its heritage Pontiac brand by the end of 2010 and sell or eliminate Saturn and two other nameplates could have a significant effect on Ventura County’s economy, an automobile retailing consultant said Monday.Hundreds of local residents could lose their jobs if dealerships are forced to close, said John Masterson of Ventura, a former new car dealer and editor of the Western Automotive Consultants Report newsletter.The loss of sales ta... Read Full Story

By Yoshio TakahashiSHANGHAI (MarketWatch) -- Japanese car makers are upbeat about vehicle sales growth in China this year even amid the global economic slowdown, as they hope the country's steady economic growth will help encourage consumers to buy new cars, underscoring a rare bright spot in sluggish Japan's auto industry.Toyota Motor Corp. Honda Motor Co.and Nissan Motor Co. aim to sell more vehicles this year than last year as they seek to attract customers with new models, and sol... Read Full Story