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Feds look at Toyota electronics as source of accelerator defects

The U.S. Department of Transportation is looking into whether Toyota Motor Corp.'s problems with unintended acceleration can be traced to defects in the electrical controls rather than just the mechanical problems cited by the automaker, a Transportation official said Tuesday. “We're not finished with Toyota and are continuing to review possible defects and monitor the implementation of the recalls,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement.

Audi says U.S. will get clean diesels at a premium

Audi CEO Rupert Stadler says American consumers will get more clean diesels--but they will pay a premium for them. “I think the problem is that we don't really have an honest discussion,” Stadler said in a press roundtable at the auto show here. “There is a very, very high level of investment, and nobody today knows if the return will come,” he said.

GM sells trucks through Costco program

Membership warehouse retailer Costco has launched a deal with General Motors allowing its members to buy certain Chevrolet and GMC trucks through select franchised new-car dealers at a "preferred price"--generally equivalent to the price that the automaker offers its suppliers' employees. Rick Borg, vice president of the Costco Auto Program, on Tuesday said the club expects its members to buy more than 5,000 new Chevrolet and GMC trucks under the program. The program runs through Jan.