Mitsubishi Minicab 2001 Radiator Grille [0410400] on 2040-parts.com

Nissan working on next-generation battery that is lighter, less expensive

A year before it launches U.S. sales of its first electric family car, Nissan Motor Co. is developing a next-generation battery that will be lighter and less expensive.

Hyundai offers crate V6s and fours at SEMA

Crate engines are usually high-output, high-displacement, domestic motors from Ford, GM and Chrysler. Hyundai said no mas yesterday at SEMA, introducing its plan to offer the Lambda 3.8-liter V6 and Theta 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as crate engines for sale. The program begins next month.

College Exhibition: IED Fiat/Chrysler project

Second year students at the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) in Turin, Italy, recently completed a Fiat/Chrysler sponsored project, which began in February 2009. Conceived as a didactic exercise to think about the recent alliance between Fiat and Chrysler, 37 students were asked to design a vehicle capable of combining the technical know-how, platforms and values of both brands in order to generate interesting and competitive new products for the European and the American markets. In creating their concepts, students were asked to take into account the style, economic accessibility and the low environmental impact of Fiat vehicles as well as the new platforms and major industrial and production capacity afforded by the Italian automaker's alliance with the Chrysler brand.