1965 Buick Electra 225 - Wildcat - Lesabre Factory Steel Wheel 15in. (1) on 2040-parts.com

Automakers scrap diesel plans

Mainstream carmakers have put the brakes on nine diesel-powered vehicles that had been scheduled for 2010. Honda, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Nissan and Toyota have halted diesel programs because of spiraling costs and other problems. Financial problems halted the programs at some companies.

Toyota tests chips that improve hybrid efficiency by 10 percent

Toyota announced on Tuesday that it has developed a new semiconductor, claiming it can boost fuel efficiency in hybrid cars by an impressive 10 percent. The semiconductors manage the flow of electricity through the power-control unit that connects the battery to an electric or hybrid car's motor and generator. The newly developed semiconductors are said to consume only a tenth of the energy of today's chips, while allowing the power-control unit to be 80 percent smaller.

2014 Suzuki Swift SZ-L Special Edition launches

The 2014 Suzuki Wift SZ-L (pictured) comes in blue or black metallic We know why car makers churn out special editions, and they can be a great buy if the extras they boast float your boat. But do we have to get the same ‘special edition’ name badge every couple of years? ‘Black’ and ‘White’ editions abound from almost every car maker and, although Suzuki may not have gone that route with the Swift SZ-L Special Edition, it’s the exact same ‘Special Edition’ name they used just a few years ago.