2007-2010 Bmw X3 Driver Axle Shaft Rr 1268038 on 2040-parts.com

No sign of global auto meltdown at Tokyo Auto Salon

With more than 600 cars on display and a record number of exhibitors, nothing at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon tuner show hinted at the global economic downturn. As always, there was a great mix of styles, from hard-core, 1,000-hp, supertuned machinery to weird customized scooter tricycles. Auto manufacturers tried hard to capture the minds--if not the wallets--of the younger-than-30 crowd with customized versions of production cars, while tuners were busy persuading power junkies to choose them for their next engine modification.

Call for bus commuter tax break

A NEW TAX allowance should be introduced so that firms can help staff pay for the cost of commuting to work by bus, a campaign group has urged. Greener Journeys said people on lower incomes were more reliant on buses as they were less likely to have a car. The group, which promotes sustainable travel, said a "bus bonus" scheme should be launched, arguing it would boost the economy and improve access to jobs.

Honda recalls 310,773 Pilots for seatbelt issue

Honda is recalling 310,773 copies of the Pilot SUV to fix a problem that could make the driver's or passenger's seatbelts unreliable in a crash. Honda says a manufacturing error with the belts could mean that stitching on some of the models is incomplete where the lap section is connected to the outer anchor, which could cause the belt components to disconnect in an accident. The recall affects 2009- to 2011-model-year Pilots.