07 08 Sebring Blower Knob on 2040-parts.com

Former Ford exec Theodore shows off lighter chassis at SAE

Automakers are facing tougher government regulations for fuel economy, and one former Ford and Chrysler executive says he has a solution Chris Theodore, best known for his work on the Ford GT and Dodge Viper, has designed a vehicle chassis that he says will provide automakers with weight savings, cut manufacturing costs and make electric vehicles more economically viable. Theodore is showcasing his proof-of-concept Uni-Chassis at the SAE World Congress this week. It uses the powertrain and suspension of the GT, under an agreement with Ford.

Are BMW really trying to buy De Tomaso?

Reports from Italy say that BMW is in talks to buy De Tomaso, the perpetually failed maker of supercars. It’s long been rumoured that BMW has an interest in acquiring De Tomaso to give it a proper supercar brand to rival the offerings from the VW group. But, despite many opportunities to do so, BMW has never made the move.

Jaguar Land Rover: 800 new jobs & record sales

Jaguar Land Rover are creating 800 new jobs at their Solihull plant as they reveal record sales for 2012 of 335,000 vehicles. The end of last week saw Honda plans to cut 800 jobs as the European market for Honda fizzled under a cloud of economic gloom, but no such problems at Jaguar Land Rover. Jaguar Land Rover has revealed plans for 800 new jobs at Solihull (following on from 1,000 new jobs last March, 1100 new jobs last July and 1000 new jobs in November 2011),  after revealing record sales across the globe in 2012, selling an impressive 335,000 vehicles.