Vauxhall Zafira B Starter Motor 1.7 Diesel 6 Speed Manual 2010 Z17dtj on 2040-parts.com

GM expands advanced-vehicle-technology center in California

General Motors unveiled a new technical center dedicated to the development, maintenance and testing of alternative-energy vehicles last week in Torrance, Calif. The company has had local digs for years but recently leased the building next to its existing Advanced Technology Center for an alternative-energy research facility. It now employs a dozen scientists, technicians and engineers to advance the electrification of GM vehicles.

CAR’s £1000 support for upcoming journalists – in honour of Phil Llewellin

The Phil Llewellin Student Journalist of the Year award will go to the best student writer from the motoring journalism courses at Coventry and Cardiff Universities. The winner receives £1000 and also a work experience placement at CAR magazine, whose pages were graced by Phil Llewellin’s work until his untimely death in 2005. Entries for the award, run by the Guild of Motoring Writers, must be received by 30 September, with the winner announced at the RAC Club in London on 5 December.

Vauxhall & Opel – no plant closures before 2014

Will the new Mokka help GM in Europe Despite reports that GM Europe are planning closures at Vauxhall and Opel, GM boss says there will be no closures before 2014. GM in Europe are not having an easy time of things, with both Vauxhall and Opel struggling for sales as the car market in Europe polarises and the mainstream car makers struggle. GM have made some moves to consolidate their European operation with a co-operation agreement with Peugeot Citroen, but that deal has more of a sticking plaster feel to it than a real way to fix the issues of over-production in a difficult European market.