Porsche 914 Ashtray on 2040-parts.com

Mercedes-Benz axes Maybach

High ranking Mercedes-Benz sources have confirmed to Autoweek that the underperforming Maybach brand will be officially killed off in 2013. The decision to disband Mercedes-Benz’s upper luxury marque comes after a decade of disappointing sales for the Maybach 57 and 62 and a recent decision from the German car maker’s chairman Dieter Zetsche not to push ahead with the development replacement models – the likes of which were tentatively due out in 2014 – owing to what one insider describes as a “positive move to focus greater attention on the Mercedes-Benz brand” . “We’ve come to the conclusion that it is better to cut our losses with Maybach than to continue into an uncertain future with a brand that has failed to live up to original sales expectations," the insider said.

Chrysler to build four versions of Fiat 500 for U.S. market

Chrysler will build and sell four versions of the tiny Fiat 500 in North America starting in 2011: a hatchback, a convertible, a station wagon and a sporty hatchback. A fifth model--a small, four-wheel-drive SUV--also is possible. They will wear the Fiat brand.

New Toyota FT-1 and FT-1 Vision Gran Turismo Concept revealed

The new Toyota FT-1 Concept (pictured) will debut at Pebble Beach At the Detroit Motor Show in January, the impressive Toyota FT-1 Concept was revealed, with the general concensus being that it pointed firmly at a future Toyota Supra. And that thought is reinforced with the arrival of a new FT-1 Concept, ahead of a debut at Pebble Beach – and a ‘virtual’ FT-1 Concept in the guise of the Toyota FT-1 Vision Gran Turismo Concept. The new FT-1 Concept comes complete with a new graphite paint job, but perhaps the more interesting aspect is that the interior now looks more upmarket and more appealing.