Toyota cuts 2014 Prius Plug-in hybrid prices

For the 2014 model year the Toyota Prius Plug-in hybrid will get a price cut, with the base Prius Plug-in model starting at $29,990, not including destination. The $2,010 drop in price comes without any changes to the vehicle, and Toyota was keen to point out that "This price repositioning on the base Prius Plug-in Hybrid is not accompanied by any reduction in vehicle content.” This drop in price can be viewed as part of Toyota's effort to keep sales volume of its popular plug-in hybrid model on target -- about the only place where the 2014 model Prius will look different will be the Japanese domestic market, where the Prius will get two-tone paint options, new wheels, and LED lighting. Likewise, the Prius Plug-in Advanced will also get a price cut for the 2014 model year, and will start at $34,905, not including destination.

Chrysler moves design boss Ralph Gilles to lead new SRT brand

Chrysler Group on Tuesday shuffled the heads of its vehicle brands, placing design chief Ralph Gilles in charge of the newly created Street and Racing Technology (SRT) brand while handing his duties as head of the Dodge brand to Reid Bigland. The move is a way of getting all of the automaker's SRT efforts together under one leader, spokeswoman Shawn Morgan said. Gilles, 41, will still be in charge of Chrysler's motorsports activities and the design for Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep vehicles.

Jaguar marks 20 years of the XJ220

The first time a Jaguar XJ220 supercar reached a customer's hands was 1992. President George H.W. Bush was in office, and space shuttle Endeavor took its maiden flight.