Mercedes W114 250 Ce Indicator Switch on 2040-parts.com

Britain becomes the engine room of Europe

By Nigel Wonnacott Motor Industry 26 June 2008 13:59 Britain makes twice as many engines each year as cars. Latest industry figures reveal more than 3.1 million petrol and diesel engines were produced at domestic plants in 2007, compared to just over 1.5 million cars. Output has soared recently, with more than half a million more engines leaving production lines in the last two years.

McLaren launches Special Operations unit for customers' custom requests

British sports-car maker McLaren has launched its Special Operations unit, which will help the company's well-heeled buyers customize their cars. McLaren previewed some handiwork from the new division at this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, with a custom example of the MP4-12C. The customized sports car had a variety of carbon-fiber trim upgrades and special treatment such as unique orange paintwork, a gloss-black roof, diamond-cut-finish wheels with gloss-back inners, 12C-branded carbon sill panels, a carbon steering wheel and carbon-fiber cover vents for the engine.

Consumer Reports releases 2013 reliability rankings

Japanese brands continue to dominate the Consumer Reports Annual Auto Reliability rankings, while some European brands gained and Ford Motor Co. continued to rank near the bottom of the industry. Lexus, Toyota and Acura swept the top three spots in the 2013 rankings and Japanese brands took seven of the top 10 places.