The shift within mobility sales toward lower margin smartphones was the key driver behind declining margins.

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The Fusion driver changes gears using a conventional, console-mounted shift lever.

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The LS 430, being the flagship, offers Lexus' most luxurious interior, complete with such amenities as a 14-way power-adjusted driver's seat, a leather and wood-trimmed shift knob, deep pile carpeting, vanity mirrors galore, lots of walnut or golden-eye maple, and a great (optional) navigation system.

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So that means that when you pay by credit card, the driver is not getting the money at the end of the shift, has to pay a premium to get paid, and may have to wait until the cab company gets around to settling with him.

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She said that driving a qualifying lap at Daytona, where drivers shift gears three times then run the engine pretty much wide open, was 90% crew preparation and 10% driver.

CNN: February 18, 2013 -- Updated 1912 GMT (0312 HKT)