04 05 06 07 Trailblazer R. Lower Control Arm Fr Arm on 2040-parts.com

Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid: Production underway

The world’s first production plug-in diesel hybrid – the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid – has gone in to production ahead of customer deliveries. Volvo are producing just 1,000 2013 V60 plug-ins, but are aiming to up production to between 4-6,000 a year from the 2014 model year and, despite the problems of integrating the V60′s complicated electric stuff in to a production car, the V60 plug-in is rolling down the same production line as the regular V60, V70, S80 and XC90. That complicated stuff includes two different powertrains and a battery pack – enough for up to 32 miles as an EV only – and a total of 300 additional parts compared to a regular ICE V60.

Toyota unveils SEMA show Dream Build Challenge cars

Toyota's SEMA show plans this year are egalitarian: they include cars involved with two separate contests on which you, the custom car enthusiast, can vote online to your heart's content. Four cars took part in the Toyota Dream Build, now in its second year. Last year, Toyota's Dream Build enlisted people from the world of NHRA and NASCAR, who all came up with some extremely rad stuff.

Jeep to use Fiat platforms starting in '13

Jeep's small SUVs will use Fiat-supplied platforms starting in 2013, Jeep brand CEO Mike Manley said on Wednesday. Jeep will eliminate the Patriot and Compass crossovers after 2012 and replace them with a single C-segment vehicle whose platform will originate with Fiat Group. Jeep also will introduce a B-segment small SUV in 2013 with a Fiat platform.