Looking forward to the days of no longer having to visit a fuel station but tired of waiting for mainstream carmakers to launch a vehicle that can run without the need to fill up? One solution is a range of new plug-in hybrid conversion kits designed for conventional hybrid models such as the Toyota Prius.

Demand for the conversions are so strong that a handful of companies are now supplying such kits, promising to boost mileage of hybrid cars like the Prius to more than 100mpg while also enabling the cars to travel distances of more than 20 miles on electricity alone, reports Automotive News.

The conversion requires installing extra batteries that can be charged up by regular household outlets. The technology is still in its infancy and its unknown how long the batteries will last.

GM and Toyota are two of the major carmakers currently developing plug-in hybrids but the release of such a model from either company is at least several years away.

Source: Plug-in hybrid tech is available today

This well-padded Mustang is believed to be a prototype for facelift model which will make its market launch in 2009. There’s not much info going around about the upcoming changes in terms of chassis and powertrain updates, but from what we’ve heard, the face lifted Mustang will definitely feature an all-new front end and rear styling details while the interior is also expected to be revised.

Via: WFC

Source: Ford Mustang Facelift Caught Testing

In a time where it seems every car manufacturer is struggling to turn a profit, Kia has proven itself as one of the fastest growing automakers in the world - today opening its second plant in China.

A joint-venture with Dongfeng Yueda Kia (DYK) Motors, the $800 million state-of-the-art facility will provide a healthy boost toward Kia’s goal of selling over one million units by 2009.

At full capacity, the new plant will churn out over 300,000 units per year, bringing the production capacity in China to 430,000. Coupled with the 300,000 unit plant in Slovakia and the completion of Kia’s first North American plant in Georgia next year, the brand is well on their way to achieving their one million unit target.

“This is also a very important milestone in the evolution of the Kia brand in the increasingly competitive Chinese market as Kia Motors strives to be among the top makers in China market by the end of the decade,”

Kia is also planning to introduce a new model for production at the new plant in 2009 and is currently assessing Chinese market trends and conditions before making a final decision.

The new plant is located only 3.5 kilometres south-east of DYK’s first plant in Jiangsu Province, occupying 270,000 square metres of building space on 1.47 million square metres of land.

Source: Kia opens second plant in China