Ford Fe Crankshaft Balancer Single V Pulley on 2040-parts.com

Ford Freestyle under investigation for low-speed surges

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating the Ford Freestyle wagon for complaints that it surges forward at low speeds. More than 200 complaints have been lodged about the issue, alleging that the Freestyle jumps forward at low speeds even when the accelerator isn't pressed. NHTSA is investigating about 170,000 Freestyles in model years 2005 through 2007.

Tesla: Factory on track for 2012 Model S launch

At Tesla Motors Inc.'s first annual shareholders meeting since going public last July, Tesla CEO Elon Musk provided a vision of using the full capacity of the former New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. plant it acquired from Toyota. He also discussed a string of electric vehicles and the possibility of a chain of company-owned charging stations and battery-swap facilities.

Why carmakers say no to battery swapping

There's a strange disconnect surrounding Better Place, the company best known for its plan to extend the range of electric vehicles by relying on speedy battery swaps. Automotive executives are nearly unanimous in dismissing the idea. With the conspicuous exception of Nissan-Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn, rarely does an executive express interest.