Toyota Premio 2003 Condenser [0660600] on 2040-parts.com

Mercedes SLS AMG, David Couthard, Golf & a new Guinness world record

David Coulthard drove a Mercedes SLS AMG, Jake Shepherd drove a golf ball and together they created a new Guinness World Record. What’s a good way to get some free PR for a car maker? A Guinness World Record sounds like a good idea (just like MINI in our story earlier today) as does a link to Golf  (lots of drivers play golf) and perhaps a well known name or two.

Thinking Automotive Design

At a time when nine new automotive plants are being built in Brazil, the production of local design studios has acquired strong significance in the market. Significantly, the best-selling cars in the country are the VW Gol and the completely new Fiat Uno, both developed locally. It's therefore no surprise that car design gains more importance in the country's cultural scenario.

BMW works hard to avoid gas-guzzler tax

BMW AG hopes to get out from under the gas-guzzler taxes that are tacked on to the sticker prices of some of its high-performance models in the United States. Jim O'Donnell, president of BMW of North America, says the company is studying fuel-efficiency improvements that could eliminate the gas-guzzler taxes on its vehicles as early as the launch of their redesigns in the next few years. The 2010 550i GT incurs a $1,000 gas-guzzler fee, for example.