Divas 97017 Avid Neo Jacket Md Charcoal/blue on 2040-parts.com

Toyota ends powertrain deal with Tesla

To the surprise of no one, Toyota has announced the end of a partnership with Tesla that gave rise to the slow-selling RAV4 EV, which will be replaced by a fuel cell car next year. Toyota has said that it can't meet California's zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate profitably with electric cars, but it thinks it can make money, or at least not lose so much of it, with fuel cells. Toyota signed a $100 million joint development deal in 2011 with Tesla, to build powertrains for its RAV4 EV.

Aston unveils new Vantage racer

By Digby Fullam First Official Pictures 17 November 2008 14:15 Aston Martin’s Vantage N24 has given way to this new GT4 – a race-spec Vantage aimed at pro racers and track day enthusiasts alike. The arrival of the GT4 leaves Aston in the unique position of being the only manufacturer producing cars in each GT class. The new car has been six months in development, with Aston hopeful that it will build on the success of the N24, winner of this year’s Nurburgring 24 Hours.

The scramble for scarce tires

North American automakers are struggling with a nagging shortage of tires, caused in part by tire plant closings and rising demand for low-volume specialty tires. Automakers are paying much higher prices -- double-digit percentage increases from a year ago -- as tire makers gain pricing power. "We have been bombarded from every side for additional tires, and we can't keep up," said David O'Donnell, Continental Tire's vice president of original equipment in the Americas.