The auto industry has been working on so-called V2V technology for a long time but this is the first large-scale test to see how well it works in the real world.

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This is the third time in the past 10 years the auto makers have teamed up on transmission work.

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"We're excited to see Ford's great innovations developed on top of our Microsoft Auto platform that continue to improve how people spend time in their car, " says Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division.

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This time, the auto industry leaders came with detailed plans submitted this week on how they would return to profitability if they get the federal loans.

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No wonder many women put themselves on auto-pilot for the next 30 days and essentially miss what can be a magical time of year.

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The Auto EV mode is essentially electric-only most of the time unless you're standing on the gas -- in other words, if there's a demand for more power.

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Dowdy's past also includes time in prison for seven felony convictions on charges including burglary, grand larceny, auto theft, escape by force and bodily injury to a correctional officer.

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Measures you can take to improve your credit score relatively quickly include paying down revolving consumer debts, such as credit cards or auto loans, using your debit card instead of your credit cards for future purchases, paying your bills on time every month and correcting any errors on your credit report.

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