1999 Nissan Sentra Door Latch Passenger Right Front 2514371 on 2040-parts.com

Aston Martin in talks with Mercedes for engine supply

It has seemed for some time that Aston Martin’s wish-list for future engines revolved around Mercedes. They currently use a V12 developed from Ford’s Mondeo V6 and a V8 that’s a development of the 4.2 litre that was in Jaguars (and Range Rovers) until a few years ago, but new engines (and new platforms) are vital if Aston are to remain competitive. Before the recent investment in AML by Investindustrial, there were plans for Aston to use both engines and platforms from Mercedes (the Lagonda SUV was built on the underpinnings of the Mercedes GL) and even the possibility that Aston Martin would design and build the next generation Maybach.

New MG: Is this the MG2?

Is this a new mini MG - the MG2? Despite it looking at one point last year as if MG – certainly in the UK – was close to biting the dust, we now know that the SAIC Roewe 550 will be made in the UK and sold throughout Europe as the MG6 in hatchback form and the MG5 as a saloon. But now we’re getting news from China that there is a mini MG in the pipeline – the MG2 – and that this car will be turning up as soon as the Beijing Motor Show as an MG and not – as is usual for SAIC – as a Roewe which then spawns an MG.

Congress scales back tax break for car buyers

A proposed tax break for new-vehicle buyers is dramatically scaled back in the final version of the economic stimulus bill. Auto dealers and their allies had sought to make interest on auto loans and the sales and excise taxes on new-vehicle purchases deductible from federal taxes. Proponents say those measures are needed to boost showroom traffic and sales.