2000-2006 Suburban Tahoe Yukon Denali Chrome Mirror Cover on 2040-parts.com

Nissan Leaf gets battery warranty boost

Nissan Motor Co. plans to bolster the warranty of the battery module in its electric Leaf to reassure consumers of its durability. The company intends to notify current owners and dealers early next year that it will make the warranty retroactive to cover all existing Leafs, offering to repair or replace the car’s lithium-ion battery if it loses more than 30 percent of its ability to hold a charge after five years or 60,000 miles.

Toyota to launch its own version of OnStar

Toyota Motor Sales said today that it is launching a telematics system similar to General Motors' OnStar that will be available on some Lexus and Toyota vehicles in late summer. At the Consumer Electrics Show today in Las Vegas, Toyota detailed its plans for the system, which has different features for each brand. On Toyota vehicles, the system will be called Safety Connect; on Lexus models it will be called Enform.

Michelin launches 2012 Challenge Design competition

What began back in 2000 as a forum for people who share a passion for vehicle design and innovation has grown to inspire thousands of entries from 96 countries. Over the past decade, Michelin Challenge Design (MCD) participants have submitted vehicle design concepts for personal and public transport addressing a broad range of geographic themes and industry issues. And now, as the 2011 program draws to a close, MCD has announced the 2012 program, which opens for pre-registration from October 1, 2010 to March 4, 2011.