Mercury Mariner / Force O/b Cdi Electronic Switch Box 114-778 on 2040-parts.com

CAR tech: who's to blame for your car's terrible fuel economy?

In early 2013 Audi lost a case brought by the Advertising Standard Agency (ASA) because of ‘misleading’ fuel economy figures used in an advert, after a customer complained they couldn’t get anywhere near the 68mpg quoted. The court case once more exposes the yawning gap between officially sanctioned mpg figures and those experienced by owners. A recent study by the Independent Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) looked at cars sold in the UK and Europe, and discovered the difference between official mpg figures and real-world driving had grown from 8% in 2001 to a barely believable 21% in 2011.

Chrysler wants to start with 165 Fiat dealerships in the United States

Chrysler Group dealers who initially get Fiat franchises will be expected to start with small showrooms--2,500-3,000 square feet--enough to display three or four cars. Such a small showroom will be sufficient to sell the Fiat 500 minicar, which will arrive in dealerships at the end of this year. Chrysler expects to initially name 165 dealers in 119 U.S.

Winners of Australia's 2011 Target 2030 design competition revealed

The winners of the 2011 Target 2030 ‘Design the Car of the Future' competition have been announced. The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) presented the winners of the Australian design competition with their Target 2030 Plaque and winner's check at a presentation ceremony at the Australian International Motor Show at the Melbourne Exhibition Center. There were three categories within the competition: model-making, design and essay.