The U.S. Department of Transportation is including Toyota electronics as a possible conduit in its investigation of unintended acceleration, Automotive News reports. The news Web site cites an unidentified Transportation official who confirmed the inclusion of possible electronic problems via email.

Thus far, Toyota has suspended production and sales of key models in its lineup while it rushes to revise its pedal assemblies. The world’s largest automaker has also issued recalls affecting some 7.5 million vehicles worldwide (Click here for our timeline).

“We’re not finished with Toyota and are continuing to review possible defects and monitor the implementation of the recalls,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in an unrelated statement today, chastising the automaker for what he feels was a reluctance to initiate a recall.

Toyota issued a response on its media site today, saying, “Since these issues first came to our attention, we have understood that the soonest possible action would be in the best interests of our customers and have acted accordingly. We are very grateful for the advice of all the government agencies involved and feel that through our handling of the recall we have a chance to regain the trust of our customers.”

Source: Automotive News, Detroit Free Press, Toyota

BMW’s most athletic 7 Series sedan, the 2011 Alpina B7, can be had for a starting price of $122,875 when it hits North American dealers this spring. A long wheelbase version will sell for $126,775. Both prices include an $875 destination and handling charge.

For the uninitiated, Alpina is the sole BMW-backed tuner and car manufacturer that bases its products on the Bavarian luxury machines. Each of its models is sold, warrantied, and serviced at authorized BMW dealers.

This latest B7 is the second generation to come to the States. Like its predecessor, it reeks of exclusivity and performance. Its twin turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 boasts an impressive 500 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque courtesy of new pistons, larger intercoolers, and a revised 14.5 psi boost pressure.

Power output is some 100 hp and 66 lb-ft more than a 750i with the same base mill and catapults the four door to 60 mph in a reported 4.5 seconds. Rowing through the Alpina-tuned six-speed auto takes only a “few hundred milliseconds”.

Handling is beefed up through shorter springs and 21-in. forged alloys wrapped in sticky Michelin rubber. New splitters fore and aft also reduce lift by 30% up front and 15% out back, while at the same time providing a clean look.

Swing open a door and you’ll find Lavalina leather matched with Myrtle Burl wood trim. Alcantara headlining and Alpina badges round out the customized interior.

Source: BMW

Still mostly devoid of new product, Chrysler continues to toil in “less bad” territory, with sales down 8% in January 2010 over the previous year to 57,143. For the first time in a long time, though, the company can at least say it’s doing less bad than Toyota.

Despite actually adding a brand, Chrysler sales continue to struggle, but there is some hope. Separating the Ram brand from Dodge allowed the latter to actually post an increase in sales in January while Chrysler’s other three brands all came up with losses. Dodge managed to eek out a 1% increase in sales while the Chrysler brand fell just short, down 2%. The Jeep brand wasn’t far behind, down 7%, while the Ram brand dropped 25% on depressed truck sales.

At Dodge, the highlight of the brand continues to be the Journey SUV, which moved 4,790 copies for an increase of 55% over January 2009. Other notables included the Avenger sedan, up 44% to 3,134, and Caravan, up 34% to 4,298. Caliber sales were up a scant 4% while Challenger and Viper sales dropped 39% and 80% respectively.

Over at Chrysler, the picture was a bit more grim. The Sebring bounced back big time with sales up 85% to 3,593 and the Town & Country minivan was the brand’s top seller, up 6% with 4,531 copies sold. The rest of the lineup wasn’t looking so good, with the 300 down 26% and the ancient PT Cruiser dropping 32%.

2009 Chrysler Sebring
CLICK TO VIEW GALLERY

Things were looking slightly better over at Jeep with Compass sales up 52% to 1,244. Grand Cherokee and Commander also posted gains, up 6% and 22% to 3,311 and 1,313 respectively. Wrangler remains the brand’s best-selling vehicle with 4,888 copies sold, but sales were still down 23% from January 2009. The number-three seller, Liberty, was off 11% to 2,987.

The big disappointment was at the new Ram brand. Sales of the Ram pickup have been carrying the company, but despite being Chrysler’s best-selling vehicle with 9,957 copies moved off the lots, sales were still down 22%. Dakota sales, meanwhile, lost 32% to just 994 and Sprinter van sales fell off a cliff with just 81 sold, down 83%.

Source: Chrysler