Mercedes signs joint venture to build carbonfibre parts

Not to be outdone by BMW’s joint venture with the SGL Group to manufacturer commercially viable carbonfibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) for the electric Megacity Vehicle, Mercedes has announced a joint venture with Japanese company Toray Industries to manufacturer and market its on CFRP automotive parts. The deal was signed in Germany today, with Toray taking a 50.1% stake, Daimler holding 44.9% and the remaining 5% being taken by other shareholders. The two companies started working together in March 2010, and while Toray has been working on the materials and moulding processes, Merc has designed the automotive parts and the technologies to join the parts together.

Nissan Juke: UK price & details

The Nissan Juke starts at just £12,795 in the UK The Nissan Juke started life as the Nissan Qazana at Geneva in 2009, but became the Nissan Juke – and the replacement for the Nissan Micra at Nissan’s Sunderland plant – when it got signed off for production and finally revealed in production form at the Geneva Motor Show 2010. And now it’s time for the UK details. And they’re a bit of a surprise.

Nissan says the Leaf EV beats the Chevrolet Volt with 367 mpg

The green car mileage race is now under way, and Nissan Motor Co. isn't impressed by the Chevrolet Volt's 230-mpg claim. The Japanese automaker says its new Leaf electric vehicle gets 367 mpg, or about 60 percent better fuel efficiency.