Dorman 689-302 Cam Position Sensor on 2040-parts.com

News watch March 2010: today's auto industry news

Tuesday 30 March 2010• Mercedes has dismissed claims that its Maybach brand is for sale, after reports in the Chinese media claimed Chinese car company BYD was considering a bid for the upmarket offshoot. BYD has also denied the claims (Reuters)• Toyota president Akio Toyoda has promised his company will listen more carefully to customers and react faster in a bid to regain credibility after the Japanese car manufacturer was forced to recall millions of vehilces over safety fears (BBC)• The Obama administration is expected to unveil its finalised fuel economy and tailpipe emissions through to 2016 this week, to coincide with the opening of the 2010 New York auto show (Detroit News)  Monday 29 March 2010• Toyota has agreed to licence the hybrid technology in the Prius to Mazda, which will combine the electric system with its next-gen Sky engines. It’s part of Mazda’s plans to increase the average fuel economy of its vehicles by 30% by 2015 (compared to 2008 levels) and it hopes to have its first hybrid vehicle on sale in Japan by 2013 (Mazda)• Ford and Chinese car company Geely have signed a stock purchase agreement that will allow the latter to acquire 100% of Volvo (along with related assets including intellectual property rights).

Aston Martin Cygnet at Harrods

Aston Martin Cygnet in Harrods Brompton Road window The last time we reported that Harrods were displaying a car in their window was in the run-up to the release of the Hyundai ix35 in the Summer. That was when Mo was still in charge. But now the Qataris are calling the shots at Knightsbridge’s favourite corner shop things have gone a bit more upmarket – the al Thanis have shoved an Aston Martin Cygnet in Harrods’ window.

Photo of the week (2008): Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 01 December 2008 14:32 Didn't make it to the 2009 LA Auto Show? Then you missed the ugliest Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe ever made (see our pictures, right). Faced with the prospect of arch-rival Bentley showing off its new Azure T – a 500bhp version of the ultra-expensive convertible – in the same hall, Rolls was clearly wondering how to compete.