Autolite 4303 Spark Plug-resistor Copper Spark Plug on 2040-parts.com

Chrysler to build ZF's eight-speed transmission in Indiana

The Chrysler Group plans to spend $300 million to build a new eight-speed automatic transmission licensed from ZF Group, a transmission maker headquartered in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The investment will pay for installation of special tooling and equipment at Chrysler's Transmission Plant 1 and Kokomo Casting Plant in Indiana and help retain 1,200 jobs there, Chrysler said Wednesday. Production will start in 2013.

New MINI John Cooper Works GP: Official Deatails

The new MINI John Cooper Works GP was revealed earlier in 2012, but now we get full details of MINI’s fastest ever road car. We had a fair amount of details – and some photos – back in May when the new JCW GP was revealed at the MINI United Festival in France, but MINI were a bit light on detail. But now, with the JCW GP soon to go on sale, we have much more detail and lots of photos.

Future products: Kia seeks lively, upscale look

Kia's redesigned Optima sedan and the Cadenza replacement for the Amanti, both due next year, reflect an emphasis on creating a livelier and more upscale look for the once-bland brand. Indeed, styling has been a crucial element of Kia's new-product push in the past 18 months. The team at Kia Design Center America near Los Angeles--part of the automaker's global design network led by onetime Audi design chief Peter Schreyer--has helped set the new styling direction.