Wheelies: The Petite Edition - NYTimes.com Fiat will move all global production of the next-generation 500 minicar to Tychy, Poland, ending assembly of the model at Chrysler's Mexico plant by 2015, Automotive News Europe reported on Monday. "Despite being almost identical in styling, the European and North American 500s are structurally very different," Automotive News Europe said. Building a new 500 with global specifications in one plant will permit Fiat to avoid duplicating engineering and tooling costs it incurred with the current generation car. Fiat and Chrysler spokesmen declined to comment on future 500 production. Japanese automakers are developing cars that will eliminate the possibility of backseat driving, CBS News reports. The microcars, about the size of a golf cart, allow for only one person -- the driver. Toyota's aluminum-frame version of the car can reach speeds of up to 30 m.p.h. Nissan also has a model, which is expected to sell for less than $10,000. The target market for the ultrasubcompact cars is older people. Masao Suzuki, 64, who drives a Toyota microcar said, "It runs on electricity so I never have to go to the gas station. And since it's a one-seater, it's great on tight turns. But you can bet they won't be marketed as "invalid cars," as some classic microcars are known. If Japan's government approves, microcars could come to the market in the next few years. The persistent drought, which is affecting most of North America, is affecting more than the price of food at the supermarket. The reduction in the size of corn crops has forced some ethanol plants to shut down, The Associated Press reported. Over the last year, 20 of the 211 ethanol plants in the United States have ceased production, the Renewable Fuels Association told The A.P. "There's a lot of anxiety in the industry right now about the drought and a lot of folks watching the weather and hoping and praying this drought is going to break," said Geoff Cooper, vice president for research and analysis for the association. If we get back to a normal pattern and normal corn crop, then I think the industry is in good shape. But if this drought persists and it has the same effect on this coming corn crop, then we've got a problem. Among the ethanol plants closing recently was one in Hastings, Neb. The Associated Press