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Company car offers in decline, but not at The Cheesecake Factory [w/poll]

As businesses look to keep high-level employees happy, it seems that use of company cars can still be an effective method, although fewer companies are employing it. According to Businessweek, only about 25 percent of companies offer company vehicles as a perk, while less than half give allowances for employees to use their personal vehicles for work purposes.
The report says that one business still in the practice of handing out company cars is The Cheesecake Factory, which offers the benefit to top managers. And we're not talking about some econobox, either. The article indicates the restaurant chain hands out BMWs on a three-year basis - although the company's own report says that the type of vehicle "varies with the executive's level."
Still, we mostly agree with the article's conclusion that money is the best way to keep employees or attract new ones, even if a corporate car is a big perk. What do you think? Let us know, in the poll below, whether a company car could sway you to work for a certain company (not just the Cheesecake factory, where the "Glamburgers" portion of the menu alone is enough to keep a guy hanging around).

BMW recalling 40k+ motorcycles to replace rear wheel flange

A problem with the rear wheels on a wide array of its motorcycles has prompted BMW and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue a recall for 43,426 vehicles. In the affected units, the mounting flange on the rear wheel is at risk of cracking if the bolts are over-tightened. If that flange cracks, "the rear wheel may not remain secured to the motorcycle," which is kind of important considering there are only two wheels on a motorcycle to start with. The recall affects certain model-year 1200 and 1300 models – including the R1200GS, R1200RT, R1200GS, R1200R, R1200S, R1200ST, K1200S, K1200R, K1200R Sport, K1200GT, K1300S, K1300R and K1300GT – as well as the HP2 Megamoto, HP2 Enduro and HP2 Sport. Owners of the affects units can expect to head from the manufacturer to arrange having the aluminum flange replaced with a steel one. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Rear Wheel Mounting Flange may Crack Report Receipt Date: MAR 11, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V141000 Component(s): WHEELS Potential Number of Units Affected: 43,426 Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC SUMMARY: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 R1200GS and R1200RT, 2006-2010 R1200GS Adventure, 2007-2010 R1200R, 2007 R1200S and K1200R Sport, 2005-2007 R1200ST, 2008-2009 HP2 Megamoto, 2006 HP2 Enduro, 2008-2010 HP2 Sport, 2005-2008 K1200S, 2006-2008 K1200R, K1200GT, 2009-2011 K1300S, 2010-2011 K1300R, and 2009-2010 K1300GT motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the rear wheel mounting flange may crack if the rear wheel mounting bolts are over tightened. CONSEQUENCE: If the rear wheel mounting flange cracks, the mounting bolts may loosen and the rear wheel may not remain secured to the motorcycle, causing a loss of stability and increasing the risk of a crash. REMEDY: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing aluminum rear wheel flange with a steel one, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 21, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. Featured Gallery BMW HP2 Sport View 13 Photos News Source: National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationImage Credit: BMW Recalls BMW Motorcycle bmw motorrad

Road & Track names its 2013 Performance Car of the Year

Road & Track recently staged its first annual Performance Car of the Year test, pitting 13 new and updated performance cars against each other on track, then graduating the top six to a road test before picking a winner. Additionally, the magazine staff picked the best automobiles of the year in eight categories.
But first, let's cover the PCotY segment. Here's the list of cars brought to the comparison test: Audi R8 V10 Plus; BMW 435i; BMW M6 Competition Package; Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51; Ferrari F12 Berlinetta; Ford Fiesta ST; Jaguar F-Type V8 S; Jaguar XFR-S; Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S-Model Wagon; Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series; Mini John Cooper Works GP; Nissan GT-R Track Edition; and Porsche Cayman S.
To find out the results of the comparison, head over to Road & Track's website or check the press release below, where you'll also find the magazine's top-rated vehicles in eight categories. Want more? Head over to the 2013 PCotY hub. But before you do that, take a stab at guessing the winner of PCotY (we'll give you one hint: it isn't a Porsche).