Wheelies: The Buzzed Edition - NYTimes.com Fiat announced this week that it would offer a single-capsule espresso maker as an option for European customers of its coming 500L. The device, developed for the Italian coffee brand Lavazza, fits in the tunnel between front passengers. The automaker has not committed to offering the feature in other markets. The 500L is expected to begin sales in Europe late this year. Fiat Karl-Friedrich Stracke, the vice president of General Motors" European operations and head of the Opel brand, abruptly stepped down this week. G.M. appointed Steve Girsky, a member of the Opel board, to serve in the interim as the automaker searched for a replacement. "Karl Stracke worked tirelessly, under great pressure, to stabilize this business and we look forward to building on his success," Daniel F. Akerson, chairman and chief executive of G.M., said in a statement. Though the automaker has experienced robust growth in North America and Asia, its European operations have not shared in the good fortune, posting a $747 million loss in 2011. According to Bloomberg, BMW has moved to dissolve its joint venture with Peugeot, with which it intended to develop systems and components for electric vehicles. The two automakers entered the partnership in October 2011, but since then G.M. has taken a stake in PSA Peugeot Citroën, the French brand's parent, and BMW has announced a partnership with Toyota to develop alternative powertrains, including those for use in E.V."s. Bloomberg The 2013 Ford Focus ST, scheduled to arrive in American dealerships late this summer, was certified by the Environmental Protection Agency with fuel-economy estimates of 23 miles per gallon in urban and 32 m.p.g. in highway driving. The ratings compare favorably with those of the Volkswagen GTI, at 21 m.p.g. in urban and 31 m.p.g. in highway driving when equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission. The ST is available with only a 6-speed manual transmission.