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GM also sheds parts from its pickups to boost payload ratings

The row between Ford and Ram over who boasts the best-in-class tow rating for heavy duty pickups has revealed a number of things. Chief among them is a report that Ford removes items like the spare tire, jack, radio and center console from its vehicles in a bid to lower its base curb weight and therefore keep the truck's gross vehicle weight rating down.
For those that need a refresher, GVWR is the vehicle's curb weight plus its maximum payload. A lower GVWR allows Ford to station its F-450 among the so-called Class III pickups, despite the fact that internally, it has the makings of a more brutish Class IV truck.
Ford explains away these deletions, saying a customer could order their vehicle in such a manner. It has also come to light that Ford is not the only automaker to engage in such practices.

Shelby GT350 to be auctioned for charity at Barrett-Jackson in January

If you just have to be the first person in the world to possess the latest Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang, then you need to be bidding during the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ, on January 17. That's because Ford is offering the chance to own the inaugural production example of its latest premiere pony car there. The buyer of the first GT350 gets to choose from any color and all of the available packages for their car. Although, the real highlight is probably being among the first to listen to the 5.2-liter V8 under the hood with its flat-plane crankshaft. Ford promises that the mill makes over 500 horsepower and more than 400 pound-feet of torque. To sweeten the deal even further, all of the proceeds of the sale go to the JDRF, a charity that funds type 1 diabetes research. There's no reserve on the auction for the GT350 but don't expect a bargain. Last year, the first 2015 'Stang raised $300,000 for the JDRF at the Barrett-Jackson sale, and the initial Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 brought in $650,000 for charity. You can read Ford's entire announcement about the event below. FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO SELL NEW SHELBY GT350 MUSTANG AT BARRETT-JACKSON SCOTTSDALE AUCTION TO BENEFIT JDRF First publicly available production unit of the all-new Shelby GT350® Mustang to be auctioned by Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, with all proceeds benefiting JDRF Winning bidder will be able to choose from available colors and packages for Shelby GT350 Ford-sponsored ride-and-drives during the auction will feature a full lineup of 2015 vehicles Ford Motor Company will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the legendary Shelby GT350 Mustang by auctioning the first production unit of the new-generation car available to the public for charity at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona. All proceeds will benefit JDRF, the country's leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research. Live coverage of the auction of the Shelby GT350 will air on Velocity on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015. The winning bidder of lot No. 3008 – selling at No Reserve – will become owner of the coveted first retail production unit of Ford Shelby GT350, and choose from available Shelby GT350 colors and packages. In January 1964, Carroll Shelby and Ford Motor Company forever altered the automotive industry with the introduction of the GT350. It was offered through Ford dealers from 1965 through 1970.

Riding along in Ford's bonkers Fiesta ST Global RallyCross car [w/video]

The Mountune-worked Fiesta ST GRC does 0-to-60 mph in 1.9 seconds.
On any given day, and every single weekend, there's at least one parking in the country invaded by manufacturer and team trucks. The be-chromed beasts and their 53-foot trailers are slotted into rows, men and women decorate the lot with orange cones to mark the invisible tracery of a temporary track, cars get unloaded, crews fret over them. The ritual can be as beautiful as the sunrise to those with enthusiast hearts, but it's just as common.