2007 Ford Focus Radio Temperature Control Trim Dash Bezel on 2040-parts.com

Nissan raises Leaf prices, adds retail markets

Nissan North America said Tuesday that it will add $2,420 to the price of the base model of its hard-to-get, slow-to-build electric Leaf sedan. Compared to 2011 model year's $33,630 base price, including delivery, the 2012 model will begin at $36,050. The car's upper-grade SL model will sell for $38,100, an increase of $3,530 over 2011.

Toyota to close Australian design studio

Toyota designers at its Technical Center Asia Pacific Australia (TTCAP-AU) are to lose their jobs as part of Toyota's decision to scale back the facility's activities as well as halting all manufacturing within the country by 2017. The TTCAP-AU, which carries out all its Australian design and evaluation operations, employs 150 designers and modelers and it's possible that its activities with the Camry, Camry Hybrid and Aurion models could be scrapped, raising doubts over its future. Around 2,500 employees at Toyota's Altona manufacturing plant are expected to lose their jobs, although the effects are likely to be wider ranging.

US Government urged to promote diesel cars, NOT electric & hybrid

Diesel cars best option says former US Transport Secretary Former American Transport Secretary Norman Mineta is urging the US Government to promote high efficiency diesels instead of electric and hybrid cars. Just like the UK government, the US government seems obsessed with promoting electric and hybrid cars as the way of the future, something anyone who really knows cars will tell you is a nonsensical approach. Hybrid and electric cars are too costly to produce and have little appeal for the car buying public.