Fit For Bmw 7 Series F01 F02 10-15 Interior Front Reading Lamp Cover Frame Trim on 2040-parts.com

For new CAFE rules, automakers place high-stakes tech bets

Game-changing 2015 fuel economy rules are forcing vehicle development teams to make high-stakes bets on expensive technologies--bets that will separate the winners from the also-rans. Not only do federal rules target a 2015 fleet average of 35.5 mpg, up from the current 27.5 mpg for cars and 23.1 mpg for light trucks; they force automakers to bet on different technology packages for each vehicle segment. Companies that do best at mixing technologies while keeping down costs will have an advantage when buyers wince at higher stickers.

USA, UK & Germany will be top markets for the new BMW i8. You don’t say?

The BMW i8 (Pictured) will sell best in US, UK & Germany In a case of stating the obvious in a bid to keep interest in the BMW i8 high ahead of its debut at Frankfurt next month, Hendrik Wenders – the i8 product manager – has declared the biggest market for the BMW i8 will be the USA. As America is already BMW’s biggest market place, that’s not entirely a shock, and nor is the news that the UK and Germany will be the biggest markets in Europe. After all, they’re the only major economies in Europe without huge falling markets for cars.

2012 Renault Twingo Facelift revealed

Renault Twingo gets a new nose for 2012 The Renault Twingo is Renault’s smallest car, and not one we Brits have really taken to our hearts, at least not unless we need very basic hire car when in Europe. So a 2012 facelift for the Twingo may not be huge news, but it is the last step on the way to an all-new Twing0 which will share its underpinnings with the next generation Smart and, we assume, become rear wheel drive in the process. The facelift we get on the Twingo looks like it’s going to be just the nose, as that’s the only photo Renault has released, unless they have a surprise in store for the Twingo when it arrives at Frankfurt in September.