– Volkswagen says it has offered about 850,000 customers in the U.S. an extended seven-year warranty on window parts that could malfunction on 1998-2002 Beetles and 1999-2002 Golfs, GTIs and Jettas. A clamp in the doors of the affected cars could malfunction and prevent the windows from being raised or lowered. Volkswagen says it will install new window clamps free-of-charge.
– Ford is extending a service program on 2000-2001 Focus vehicles in North America because of concerns over a rear-wheel bearing seal. A service program for the problem involved vehicle owners in 21 states, including Illinois, that use road salt. But Ford says customers outside those areas, including in Canada, would be encouraged to bring their cars to dealerships to have the seal replaced. Ford announced in September that it would offer a “powertrain coverage plan” for the 2003 model Focus good for five years or 100,000 miles, which could be transferred between owners.
– Harley-Davidson Inc. has dropped plans to build a $30 million motorcycle museum at the former Schlitz brew house, choosing to seek an alternate site in the downtown Milwaukee area. Harley pulled back from the proposed $30 million development because renovation of the brew house could create another $30 million in cost overruns, says Matt Levatich, museum director.
– Toyota Motor is drawing up growth targets that would see the Japanese carmaker attempt to pass Citroen and Mercedes-Benz to become Europe’s No. 8 marque, the Financial Times reports. The company has told dealers is aiming for sales of 1.2 million–half as much again as its current target–by 2010. A European sales increase of 13 percent in the first nine months, while the car market fell 4 percent, means Toyota is expected to report turn its first profit in Europe this year.
– Bicycle maker Trek has begun a bike tour travel business with destinations including Europe and the Canadian Rockies. Trek Travel will offer bike tours beginning in May that could take travelers to Bordeaux in France, and Tuscany and Umbria in Italy. All trips, mainly six days, include lodging and meals. Tour prices will range from $2,000 to $3,000. Air travel is not included. Travelers will ride a Trek 7700 aluminum hybrid on the leisure tours or a Trek 5200 carbon road bike on longer trips.
