Daimler, parent company of Mercedes-Benz and BYD, China’s fastest growing car company, established a joint venture to develop electric cars in China. Based in the industrial city of Shenzen, the two companies respective experience with electric cars complements one another. BYD is experienced with battery and drivetrain systems, while Daimler will bring their knowledge of safety and structural design to the table.

With BYD’s push into the American market this year, the partnership is an astute move for both companies, as China becomes an increasingly larger presence in the automarket, while Daimler is able to leverage its premium Mercedes-Benz brand to help propel sales and interest in their vehicles.

Hit The Jump To See The Official Press Release

[Source: World Car Fans]

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The Vauxhall/Opel Ampera, sister car to the Chevrolet Volt, is set to launch in Europe in 2012, but GM is already preparing a more powerful version in time for the car’s launch, according to AutoExpress.

Nothing concrete has been announced, but sources indicate that a larger gasoline engine and a bigger battery will help make some extra juice. The standard car uses an electric motor and a 1.4L gas engine, putting out roughly 150 horsepower. The Volt can travel up to 40 miles on electricity alone, before a gas motor kicks in.

With the Nissan Leaf already sold out, the demand for an electric car (or plug-in hybrid, like the Volt) is clearly there. But GM might need a competitive edge versus the all-electric Leaf, and a more performance oriented Volt would be a great bridge for those are are on the fence about an electric car, but more open to the idea of a hybrid.

[Source: Auto Express]

Barrett-Jackson’s collector car auctions have become known worldwide as a classic car spectacles, pushing the boundaries far beyond the traditional format of automotive auctions. Now, the company is going even further.

Prior to its Orange County, California event, scheduled to take place June 27-29 at the OC Fair and Event Center; Barrett-Jackson is organizing an inaugural Orange County Road Rally, which will take place on June 19th. The Rally will depart the South Coast plaza, located on Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, close to the 405 Freeway and head to the OC Fair and Event Center. Scheduled departure time for the rally is 3.00 pm. Upon arrival, B-J will host a mini car show on the Orange County Fair and Event center grounds.

The rally is an exclusive event and only 100 spots are available for participants. Car clubs and their member who wish to attend are urged to contact Danica Solesbee as soon as possible at (480) 421 6694 or dsolesbee@barrettjackson.com.

[Source: Barrett-Jackson]

Bad news for BMW fans: BMW has stopped making European parts available to U.S. customers. It used to be that, if you had the European part number, you could walk into any BMW dealer’s parts counter and order it, no problem. But now, BMW enthusiasts will have to look to third parties and the aftermarket for upgrades to their Bimmers.

Why the change in policy? According to Bimmerfile, another automaker was having problems with European parts failing when installed on U.S. cars, and BMW is trying to avoid a similar litigious situation.

Damn lawyers, always ruining the fun.

[Source: E90Post.com]

India’s Tata Motors is back in the black after rising demand for the Land Rover and Jaguar cars, as well demand in India for Tata products. The Tata group posted an overall profit of $543 million, compared to last year’s loss of $535 million. Tata was able to beat analyst expectations of a $321 million profit, thanks in part to Jaguar and Land Rover raking in their own profit of $46 million.

Land Rover recently fired 2,200 workers and hired a new manager away from General Motors Europe to help them back on the road to profitability. However, analysts are still skeptical about the economic conditions in Europe, and whether they are conducive to a recovery for the British luxury maker.

“Europe is in doldrums and that is a big worry for Tata Motors since it is a big market for Jaguar Land Rover,” said Umesh Karne, an analyst at BRICS Securities Ltd in Mumbai. “Until Europe stabilizes, Jaguar Land Rover will be under pressure.”

[Source: Automotive News]

To help celebrate World Ducati Week, Mercedes will debut a new ‘Naked’ limited edition SLK200 Kompressor model during the festivities, which start June 20th in Rimini, Italy. The reason for Mercedes’ involvement is due to the close connection between the Mercedes AMG division and financing and insurance firm Gruppo Generali – which also just so happens to be a sponsor of Ducati in MotoGP.

As the most popular SLK model in Europe, the supercharged four-cylinder’s 1.8-liter engine will remain untouched, continuing to generate 181-hp and 184 ft-lbs of torque. Upgrades for the model will include aluminum accents, a leather steering wheel, AMG rear lip spoiler, new 5-spoke 18-inch Titanium Silver wheels with 225/40/18 front tires and 245/35/18 rear tires, plus a long list of optional equipment as standard. Pricing is set at 40,900 Euros and just 99 versions of the limited edition model will be offered exclusively in Italy.

Mercedes hasn’t released pricing yet, but rumors suggest that instead of a traditional Mercedes silver or black, the SLK Class Naked will get a brilliant shade of Ducati red.

[Source: MondoMotori and GPOne]

A report out of Europe claims that BMW and General Motors are collaborating on a system that will scan road signs, including speed limit warnings and relay the information to drivers. The system still has a few kinks being worked out, but the objective is for the system to be able to display warning signs as well as speed limits for any road the car is being driven on.

Technology like this might add a little pizazz to an otherwise unremarkable car, but there’s certainly the prospect of a slippery slope with this sort of system. Invasive speed limits mandated by the government might not be far off, and that could quickly spell an end to one of the greatest pleasures of driving, the complete autonomy one has when behind the wheel of a car.

[Source: Autoguide]

With the launch of the Buick Regal comes word that the U.S. may get more than just the sedan. According to a report by Car & Driver there’s a strong possibility that we could get either the hatch or wagon, or both.

Regal brand manager Jim Federico even admitted to C&D that Buick is currently testing “Touring” (wagon) models in the U.S. Federico commented that considering wagons are more popular in snowbelt states, a Regal wagon is likely to come with all-wheel drive. And considering the popularity that Volkswagen has see with its TDI diesel engines in the Jetta SportWagen, a diesel regal wagon with all-wheel drive would be a part of the mix – hypothetically of course. Such a car would, however, take until 2012 or 2013 to launch in North America.

In the mean time, Buick will offer the Regal with the 2.4-liter front-drive layout, 2.0-liter turbo front drive model and eventually the Regal GS with a 255-hp version of the 2.0-liter turbo and AWD. Six-speed manual versions of the cars will roll out eventually as well.

Even more exciting that the Regal GS is word that a Grand National may be in the works for Buick. Sure Buick could badge a Regal with the Grand National logo and run the 300-hp turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 – but we’d rather see the rumored twin-turbo 3.6-liter V6 paired with the CTS Coupe chassis and badged as a bad-ass Buick.

Get more Buick Regal news at RegalForums.com

[Source: Car & Driver]

Not long after Gordon Murray’s McLaren F1 was feted at the company’s headquarters, new details have emerged about Murray’s all-new T27 city car, being developed by the South African-born engineer independently of McLaren.

Essentially an electric version of the T25 city car, the T27 uses a lithium-ion battery and a small electric motor to hit 60 mph in under 15 seconds. The time might seem agonizingly slow for many car enthusiasts, but in urban driving, the 8.2 foot length and 4.3 foot width, along with a range of 80-100 miles will matter far more, allowing the T27 to deliver an acceptable driving range and fit into the tightest of parking spaces.

A running prototype is expected to be completed by April of next year, and judging by Murray’s past creations, as well as the leaked info about the T25, both city cars should be game changers.

[Source: World Car Fans]

With so many people falling on hard times in this economy, some folks will do anything to earn a buck. That includes faking a car accident to make ends meet.

According to a recent report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), questionable claims (QC) resulting from staged accidents have increased 46 percent from 2007 through 2009. On a somewhat positive note, legitimate insurance claims have shrunken a bit, but this is only because there are fewer cars on the road, a by-product of fewer jobs.

What makes this type of crime so popular is that unless someone becomes suspicious, many of these staged accidents go undetected. Along with the fact that it’s a criminal offence and they defraud insurance companies out of millions of dollars (which in turn raises the premiums for the rest of us), staged accidents often involve innocent victims who are obeying the law, and can result in serious injury and death.

Florida takes the lead in all states with 3,006 QCs in 2009, with New York following in second with 1,680. Rounding out the top five are California (1,619), Texas (792) and Illinois (433). Out of the top offending cities, New York City leads the way, but Florida comes in strong with three offending cities (Tampa, 562; Miami, 511; and Orlando, 422). Houston closes out the list with 376 QCs.

The NICB has created a series of videos that get the message across by demonstrating some of the most common types of staged accidents. You can watch them at www.nicb.org.

Official release after the jump:

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