Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

Exhibition: Taxis of the World

The 'Taxis du Monde' exhibit recently held at the Paris Motor Show displayed a total of 40 taxis from 20 cities around the world, illustrating the evolution and diverse needs of the past, the present and even the future. Renault’s Type AG from 1913 is one historical example. One of the first Parisian taxis, it became known as the “Taxi of the Marne” after 1300 examples transported 6000 men to head off the German army in the first world war.

Demise of kei cars on the horizon?

The kei car has long been a staple of the Japanese automobile industry and its car culture. Too diminutive for Western markets, the tiny cars and trucks are a strong influencer of design in Japan. Now, as The New York Times reports, the Japanese government has hit kei cars with increases in sales tax, gasoline prices and has reduced the kei car tax break introduced to make the cars popular in the first place by 50 percent.

ANALYSIS: The incredible shrinking Alfa stand at the Geneva motor show

When he talks, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne conveys high hopes that the Alfa Romeo brand soon will be a huge business success, but actions often speak louder than words. Fiat has massively reduced the size of the 100-year-old sporty brand's stand at the forthcoming Geneva show. In March, Alfa's stand will shrink to 639 square meters from this year's 979 square meters, which was the second-largest display space among Fiat Group's portfolio after the Fiat brand.