Yamaha 48 Volt Charger on 2040-parts.com

Viper sports car division no longer for sale

By Ben Whitworth Motor Industry 13 July 2009 14:08 Viper’s yo-yoing lifeline looks to be finally secured after ailing parent company Chrysler said the sports car maker was no longer for sale. Rather than killing off its muscle-bound brand, last summer Cerberus-run Chrysler considered selling off the rights to the Viper, hoping to achieve around $10m for the Detroit assembly plant and brand equity to bolster its dwindling cash reserves and stave off imminent bankruptcy. After an initial surge of interest from similar-minded companies like Roush and Saleen, curiosity nosedived along with the global economy.

Danger from driving with flu

DRIVING while suffering from the flu can put motorists at risk as many are unaware that many cold and flu remedies contain alcohol and can have serious side effects. Two thirds of drivers (64%) say they have driven after taking medication to treat a heavy cold or flu and 13% say they have experienced side effects when driving. The study by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) says drivers are risking drowsiness and reduced levels of concentration when under using these drugs.

Who's Where?: Maximilian Missoni becomes vice president exterior design at Volvo

Maximilian Missoni has been promoted to the position of vice president of exterior design at Volvo Cars. He replaces Fedde Talsma, who has elected to leave the company. Talsma's decision brings to an end a career at Volvo that began in 1982, with the past nine years spent as the firm's exterior design director.  Although Volvo states that Talsma has retired after serving 31-years at the Swedish firm, his LinkedIn profile states that he is now an independent automotive design adviser in his native Netherlands.