Ford Oem F2uz5k486a Stabilizer Bar-stabilizer Bar Bushing on 2040-parts.com

One Lap of the Web: Mini challenges Porsche; kit cars; and brand loyalty

We spend a lot of time on the Internet -- pretty much whenever we're not driving, writing about or working on cars. Since there's more out there than we'd ever be able to cover, here's our daily digest of car stuff on the Web you may not otherwise have heard about. Mini wished the Porsche 911 a happy 50th anniversary.

Scotland to ban petrol and diesel cars by 2050?

The Scottish government is aiming to ban all petrol and diesel cars from towns, cities and other communities by 2050. This is according to a new “Switched On Scotland” document, intended to serve as a ‘roadmap’ towards the future that encourages businesses and private motorists to swap to electric vehicles (EVs). On Bing: see pictures of electric vehicles Find out how much a used electric vehicle costs on Auto Trader The government will put its money where it’s mouth is here, by spending over £14 million in the next two years to purchase EVs in replacement of its current petrol and diesel fleet, and installing charging points at major buildings.

Fiat-Chrysler to make Jeeps, Alfas in Italy starting in 2012

Fiat S.p.A. and Chrysler Group will build Alfa Romeo and Jeep models for global distribution as part of a new joint-venture company that will take control over Fiat's Mirafiori plant in Turin, Fiat said Friday. Fiat-Chrysler will invest more than 1 billion euros (more than $1.3 billion) to retool the factory.