Hopkins Towing Solution 09916 Never Fade Reflective Stick-on Level on 2040-parts.com

Mercedes signs joint venture to build carbonfibre parts

Not to be outdone by BMW’s joint venture with the SGL Group to manufacturer commercially viable carbonfibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) for the electric Megacity Vehicle, Mercedes has announced a joint venture with Japanese company Toray Industries to manufacturer and market its on CFRP automotive parts. The deal was signed in Germany today, with Toray taking a 50.1% stake, Daimler holding 44.9% and the remaining 5% being taken by other shareholders. The two companies started working together in March 2010, and while Toray has been working on the materials and moulding processes, Merc has designed the automotive parts and the technologies to join the parts together.

Tiff Needell compares the 911 and F-Type

It was a mere matter of time before somebody pitted the new Jaguar F-Type against a flat-six-powered automobile from Stuttgart. And while our natural inclination would've been to choose the mid-engined, two-seat Boxster S to mash heads with the 380-horse V6 S model, the lads at Evo had Tiff Needell compare the new Jag to a 911 Carrera Cabriolet. The heavier Neunelfer is a closer power/weight match to the F-Type.

Future products: Toyota lineup gets an 18-month makeover

Toyota plans to move into new product segments over the next 18 months, as well as redesign several mainstream models. By the spring of 2012, Toyota will launch all-new versions of the Camry, Yaris, Tacoma and RAV4. Also, the new FT-86 sport coupe, developed with Subaru, should arrive on these shores by that time.