Ati Super Damper Serpentine Series Harmonic Balancers 917286 on 2040-parts.com

Ford performance-vehicles boss jumps to Volkswagen position

Jost Capito, Ford's global performance-vehicles and motorsports chief, is jumping to Volkswagen to run the German automaker's motorsports operations. Ford is in the process of launching high-performance versions of some of its newest cars, including the Focus ST. The company also has a version of the Fiesta ST as a concept.

Japan automakers extend shutdowns as quake impact widens

Japan's seven big automakers are extending nationwide production shutdowns amid growing concern about supply chain interruptions, power shortages and export difficulties following the massive earthquake and tsunami that hammered northern Japan, killing thousands. Toyota Motor Corp., one of the few automakers with a major manufacturing presence in the quake zone, suspended all manufacturing--at both assembly and parts plants--on Monday and extended the shutdown through at least Wednesday as an added precaution. The company will lose output of roughly 40,000 vehicles over the three-day period, spokesman Dion Corbett said.

Vette plant to build high-performance engines

General Motors is moving its Performance Build Center, which let enthusiasts pay $5,000-plus to build the high-performance engine for their Chevrolet Corvette, from Michigan to the Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green, Ky. The move is expected to be completed by spring 2014. It will let a Corvette buyer build his own engine, with help from a GM technician, and then see it installed in his car as it goes down the Bowling Green assembly line.