Volkswagen has delayed the official groundbreaking of its upcoming Chattanooga, Tennessee, convocation plant by two months to March in a move the company says is designed to fit with its board members’ schedules. The automaker says that the delay won’t affect development and construction of the factory, however.

According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, all of the automaker’s board members want to employ part in the historic groundbreaking, but they couldn’t coordinate a date that suited all of them until March.

The groundbreaking is ceremonial, Volkswagen’s Jill Bratina told the newspaper.

“The project is still on schedule,” Bratina said.

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Perhaps Fernando Alonso should stick to the ground. After all, he's considered to be one of, whether not the, best drivers in all of Formula 1, which many consider to be the pinnacle of motorsports. Sure, F1 racing isn't necessarily the safest career choice in the world, but it may seem like the more responsible put down after Alonso's private plane suffered a mild crash in Kenya on Sunday. Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper says that Alonso's plane wing had a minor run-in with an airport terminal building as it was readying for takeoff, but there were no injuries reported.

According to reports, the Spanish driver was in Kenya to take part in a New Year's party that was hosted by Flavio Briatore, the managing director for Renault's Formula 1 efforts (sounds suspiciously like your New Year's in addition, eh?). It seems that while the accident wasn't particularly serious, Alonso, his wife and his brother-in-law needed to postpone their return domicile until Monday.

Side note: After commenting on this crash, Alonso's manager is again quoted as suggesting that his client has a longstanding interest in getting a shot at the driver's seat according to Ferrari, yet Alonso is contracted with Renault through 2010. Hat tip to reader Dan!

[Source: Yahoo Eurosport UK - Photo: Mark McArdle CC 2.0]

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Lexus’ ES range has been a staple of the automaker’s lineup since its inception in 1989, and it looks as though Lexus’ most approved model is slated for a mid-lifecycle refresh. As par for the course for the ES, its update won’t be a radical diversion from the current car, but will bring the four-door more in line with the rest of Lexus’ lineup.

As seen in the leaked image that surfaced online over the weekend, the 2010 ES will receive a revised front fascia, including an updated grille and headlights. Although not pictured, the ES’ rear will likely see similar updates.

No word on any powertrain updates, but we’re not expecting any changes underhood.

Although the ES remains Lexus’ most popular model, the future of the nameplate remains up in the air. Lexus has previously stated that the current-generation car would be the last to exist based on the Toyota Camry, which raises the question of what the car will replaced with, if anything at all. Keeping in mind that Lexus already has the IS line and at least two more hybrid sedans on the way, the Lexus stable might be getting a little over populated with $35,000 sedans.

Source: www.leftlanenews.com