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

Fisker battles problems as the Karma finally lurches toward launch

All Henrik Fisker wants is to build his plug-in hybrid cars and deliver them to customers--some of whom have been waiting three years since plunking down $5,000 deposits. Instead, he has been fending off criticisms aimed at his green-car company as shipments of his $103,000 Karma plug-in hybrid sedan have been delayed by cash flow troubles, regulatory snarls and a recall. But when a startup such as Fisker Automotive accepts a Department of Energy loan in a down economy, having the company tossed around like a political football comes with the territory.

Google continues autonomous car tests [w/video]

Google is leading the charge towards the production of a fully autonomous car, releasing a video earlier this week of the car being tested on a programmed route. Steve Mahan, who is 95 per cent blind, successfully tested the car with Google engineers and a member of the local police close at hand should something go awry. Google kitted out a Toyota Prius with its software, taking the shape of a spinning cylinder on the car's roof, which senses traffic or activity close to the car and automatically adapts to its situation.

Nissan inaugurates new studio in Taiwan

Nissan opened its new Yulon Nissan Design Center (YNDC) in San-Yi, Taiwan yesterday, November 5th. The recent addition joins the global stable of Nissan studios responsible for bringing top talent and the best in creative design thinking to the company's global products. The YNDC studio joins Nissan's Atsugi and Harajuku Design Centers in Japan, the Nissan Design America studios in Farmington Hills, Michigan and San Diego, California and the Nissan Design Europe facility in London, UK.