Kent Moore J-29020 Front Hub Nut Wrench on 2040-parts.com

Mitsubishi closes California design studio

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. closed its design studio in Cypress, CA last Thursday – just one month shy of its 25th anniversary. A result of the recent downturn in the global economy, the closure of the facility will eliminate 33 design positions as part of a personnel cull that has seen 60 people within the automaker's US operations lose their jobs.

Mercedes E300 BlueTEC Hybrid and E400 Hybrid Detroit debut

Mercedes E300 BlueTEC Hybrid Mercedes has revealed a pair of hybrid E-Class cars bound for a Detroit debut – the E300 BlueTec hybrid for Europe and E400 Hybrid for the US. All car maker are busy introducing hybrid platforms where they can, especially for their big-selling cars, and MB is no different, with a pair of new Mercedes Hybrid cars bound for a debut at next month’s Detroit Auto Show. The Mercedes E300 BlueTec Hybrid is the offering for Europe, although it wouldn’t be a huge shock if Mercedes eventually launched it in the US.

BMW X1 (2010) – official teaser images

BMW has released teaser images of the new BMW X1 compact SUV BMW’s offering in this department is the new BMW X1 which is, in many ways, a 1-Series on stilts, although it has components in common with both the 1-Series and the 3-Series. It will be available in both 2WD and 4WD with engines ranging from a 1.8 litre 4-pot petrol to a 3.0 litre turbo-diesel with a 6-sped manual ‘box or an auto option. These relatively undisguised photos from BMW are the first official shots that have no real subterfuge in them, and show the lines of the car pretty clearly.