Laird Noller Topeka

Last month, Mazda delivered a stable of modified vehicles to the SEMA show in Las Vegas. Starting off, the Mazda2 "Evil Track" is an update of the MAZDA2 Evil concept, which debuted at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. It features an aerodynamic body kit, a roll cage, an H&R suspension, Sparco seats, and lightweight 15-inch wheels mated with Hoosier race tires.

The Mazda3 Turbo; designers added black exterior accents, tinted windows, and 19-inch forged aluminum wheels. Under the hood, big power is provided by a 2.5-liter MZR engine which has been outfitted with a Garrett turbocharger.

The…

Ford Motor Co. just went all green in Michigan. The American auto maker just completed a $550 million renovation at its assembly plant in Wayne, in order to construct future electric, hybrid and other next-generation vehicles.

This building will eventually produce a new hybrid and a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The plant will mainly produce the Ford Focus hybrid and electric variants.

Ford outfitted the facility with a 500-kilowatt "solar panel system" for renewable energy, and installed ten charging stations for electric trucks, which will transport parts on site. A new paint booth features 66 robots - the body shop includes 500…