Alltrade Air Wrench 3/8" Square Drive Made In Japan, Tested/works on 2040-parts.com

Suzuki Wagon R and Mazda AZ Wagon

Suzuki and Mazda have released one of the most important Japanese domestic market vehicles in recent years with the fully redesigned Suzuki Wagon R and Mazda AZ Wagon. Although relatively unknown outside the domestic market, with numerous tax breaks and low CO2 emissions, the kei-car (micro mini) is the largest and the most competitive segment in Japan, making up six of the top ten best-selling cars this year. The previous generation Wagon-R was the best-selling domestic passenger car for the last five consecutive years.

Lexus GS 300h: Shanghai Motor Show

Offering much better economy than the GS 450h, it offers not only a viable alternative for private buyers looking for a bit of beautifully built Japanese luxury with lower running costs, but also makes the GS a much more appealing option for company car drivers – probably where most of the sales will be made. Lexus are aiming for Co2 emissions below 110g/km for the GS 300h (the IS 300h manages 99g/km) which will give headline economy around 60mpg – a third better than the GS 450h can manage. Power comes from the same hybrid drivetrain as the IS 300h, which means a 2.5 litre petrol mated to an electric motor and delivering 215bhp and o-62mph in around 8.5 seconds.

Top 12 consumer car debuts at 2012 U.S. auto shows

The 2012 calendar year brought a lot of excitement in the automotive industry. Sales numbers show a gradual recovery, and pending federal fuel-efficiency requirements have fueled a slew of mainstream green technologies that don't dampen driving dynamics. Among the glitz of auto shows, some of our most memorable reveals from the year include such high-profile machines as the 2013 SRT Viper and Acura NSX concept.