Ford F7lh-19497-ba (f7lh19497ba) Compressor, Air Conditioning on 2040-parts.com

Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid: Production underway

The world’s first production plug-in diesel hybrid – the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid – has gone in to production ahead of customer deliveries. Volvo are producing just 1,000 2013 V60 plug-ins, but are aiming to up production to between 4-6,000 a year from the 2014 model year and, despite the problems of integrating the V60′s complicated electric stuff in to a production car, the V60 plug-in is rolling down the same production line as the regular V60, V70, S80 and XC90. That complicated stuff includes two different powertrains and a battery pack – enough for up to 32 miles as an EV only – and a total of 300 additional parts compared to a regular ICE V60.

Ford hires Piaskowski to head exterior design

Former Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz designer Joel Piaskowski joins Ford Motor Co. on Oct. 1 as head of exterior design for Ford in the Americas.

New photos bring 2011 Chrysler 200 into clear view

We now have a better look at the 2011 Chrysler 200 sedan, courtesy of new photos from Chrysler. The updates to the Chrysler Sebring to convert it to the 200 include new front and rear fascia. The Chrysler badge will adorn the front, while a new rear decklid, LED taillights and brake lights round out the rear.