Hughes Performance 43-20 Torque Converter on 2040-parts.com

Daimler takes 10 percent stake in EV maker Tesla

Daimler AG has acquired an equity stake of nearly 10 percent of California electric car maker Tesla Motors Inc., the German automaker said Tuesday. The two companies have been working together to integrate Tesla's lithium-ion battery packs and charging electronics into the first 1,000 units of Daimler's electric Smart car. Daimler said its stake in Tesla will allow the companies to collaborate even more closely on the development of battery systems, electric drive systems and in individual vehicle projects.

Ford says optional EcoBoost V6 engine popular with F-150 buyers

Sales of Ford F-150 pickups with the optional EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6 engine have surpassed company estimates, with some dealers reporting robust demand as gasoline prices rise. "We had a sales forecast but it has jumped up a little faster than we thought," said Marc Lapine, consumer marketing manager for Ford Motor Co. Credit the increase to rising fuel prices.

Mercedes drop SL65 – the end of the Mercedes V12?

2012 Mercedes SL - will have to live without the V12 We haven’t exactly had a glut of stories on the Merceds SL of late. In fact the last story appears to have been a spy shot of the 2012 SL back at the end of 2010. But that’s because the current SL is far from cutting edge and no longer the halo of the Mercedes range.