Polaris Ranger Coil on 2040-parts.com

Lotus NOT for sale as Proton sold to DRB-Hicom

Lotus NOT for sale - at least not for two years Despite rumours that Lotus was for sale, the sale of Lotus parent Proton to DRB-Hicom appears to preclude any sale of Lotus for two years. We reported recently that Lotus owners Proton had been advised to sell its loss-making Hethel car-maker Lotus as it geared up to be divested of State ownership in Malaysia. But it seems the sale of Proton in to private hands is to have the opposite effect.

BMW and Toyota plan engine-swap deal, reports say

Details have begun to emerge about a planned engine-swap deal between BMW and Toyota. Set to be made public at the Tokyo motor show this week, the cooperation is said to center on BMW supplying Toyota with four- and six-cylinder common-rail diesel engines for use in a wide range of models. In return, Toyota plans to provide BMW with technology used to combine combustion engines and electric motors in various hybrid applications.

Nissan Micra (2010) at the Geneva motor show

This is the new Nissan Micra, revealed today at the 2010 Geneva motor show by company chief exec Carlos Ghosn. Blame the need to appeal to buyers in over 160 countries, and Nissan’s desire to keep its cost down – fancy steel pressings cost cash. The new Micra will be built in at least four factories across the globe; Nissan’s Sunderland plant will build the new Juke and Europe’s supply of the Micra will come from a factory in India.