Cru-027-r041026 Crusader Direct Drive Transmission Dipstick on 2040-parts.com

New Mercedes A Class: Production increased to meet demand

With over 70,000 orders already in the pipeline for the new Mercedes A Class, Mercedes are increasing production to meet demand. The increase in production at Mercedes plant in Rastatt, Germany, means adding a third shift to effectively increase production by almost 50 per cent and make a dent in the 70k plus orders Mercedes already has for the new A Class. That’s in stark contrast to the recent news that Mercedes is having to slash production of the S Class as sales falter, partly due to a new S Class in the pipeline for 2013 but also because buyers are falling in love with more compact offerings.

Daimler takes 10 percent stake in EV maker Tesla

Daimler AG has acquired an equity stake of nearly 10 percent of California electric car maker Tesla Motors Inc., the German automaker said Tuesday. The two companies have been working together to integrate Tesla's lithium-ion battery packs and charging electronics into the first 1,000 units of Daimler's electric Smart car. Daimler said its stake in Tesla will allow the companies to collaborate even more closely on the development of battery systems, electric drive systems and in individual vehicle projects.

BMW X3 Review & Road Test: BMW X3 xDrive20d SE (2011) Part 2

The BMW X3 now has a quality interior The BMW X3 xDrive20d SE we’ve got this week is going to be the best seller in the range. In fact, it looks as though BMW will only bother with one other X3 – the xDrive30d – in the UK, declining to bring any petrol-engined X3s to the UK on the grounds of low demand. And they’re probably right.