Standard Motor Products Dr328 Distributor Rotor on 2040-parts.com

News watch March 2010: today's auto industry news

Tuesday 30 March 2010• Mercedes has dismissed claims that its Maybach brand is for sale, after reports in the Chinese media claimed Chinese car company BYD was considering a bid for the upmarket offshoot. BYD has also denied the claims (Reuters)• Toyota president Akio Toyoda has promised his company will listen more carefully to customers and react faster in a bid to regain credibility after the Japanese car manufacturer was forced to recall millions of vehilces over safety fears (BBC)• The Obama administration is expected to unveil its finalised fuel economy and tailpipe emissions through to 2016 this week, to coincide with the opening of the 2010 New York auto show (Detroit News)  Monday 29 March 2010• Toyota has agreed to licence the hybrid technology in the Prius to Mazda, which will combine the electric system with its next-gen Sky engines. It’s part of Mazda’s plans to increase the average fuel economy of its vehicles by 30% by 2015 (compared to 2008 levels) and it hopes to have its first hybrid vehicle on sale in Japan by 2013 (Mazda)• Ford and Chinese car company Geely have signed a stock purchase agreement that will allow the latter to acquire 100% of Volvo (along with related assets including intellectual property rights).

GM to import more Chevy Spark minicars from Korea

General Motors is increasing imports of Chevrolet Spark minicars for sale in the United States following a stronger-than-expected launch here. GM recently upped its order for Sparks from the Korea plant that produces the car, Cristi Landy, marketing director for Chevrolet small cars, told Automotive News. “We've asked for more already,” Landy said Wednesday.

Honda and Acura to extend incentives on out-of-stock vehicles

Honda has told its U.S. dealers to honor discount offers on models that aren't in stock in a bid to keep customers from buying from rivals as the automaker copes with shortages caused by the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The new program is called the Honda Promise, according to news-service reports.