Right Side View Mirror (dorman #955-456) on 2040-parts.com

Volvo discontinues S40 and V50 for 2012

Volvo will discontinue the S40 sedan and the V50 wagon for the 2012 model year in the United States. The second-generation S40 came out in 2004, and the V50 debuted in 2005. According to Volvo spokesman Dan Johnston, S40 sales were down 29 percent by the end of last year and V50 sales were down more than 50 percent.

July 26: Seeing rally stars and range anxiety

Went 59.5 miles on 12 kWhs for almost 5 miles per kWh, which ain't bad. Included stop-and-go driving on Sunset Blvd. after dinner with X Games rally stars Travis Pastrana, Dave Mirra and skateboarder Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins.

Aston Martin in talks with Mercedes for engine supply

It has seemed for some time that Aston Martin’s wish-list for future engines revolved around Mercedes. They currently use a V12 developed from Ford’s Mondeo V6 and a V8 that’s a development of the 4.2 litre that was in Jaguars (and Range Rovers) until a few years ago, but new engines (and new platforms) are vital if Aston are to remain competitive. Before the recent investment in AML by Investindustrial, there were plans for Aston to use both engines and platforms from Mercedes (the Lagonda SUV was built on the underpinnings of the Mercedes GL) and even the possibility that Aston Martin would design and build the next generation Maybach.