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

Akio Toyoda waves family flag, heir makes crisis personal challenge

The reclusive Akio Toyoda is taking the rare step of waving the family flag, as the scion to Toyota Motor Corp.’s founding dynasty tries to steer the world’s largest car company out of a spiraling safety crisis. In testimony prepared for the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, President Toyoda pursues a rare personal tack on the emergency, saying “my name is on every car.” “As you well know, I am the grandson of the founder, and all the Toyota vehicles bear my name,” Toyoda says in prepared comments circulated ahead of Wednesday’s committee hearing in Washington. “For me, when the cars are damaged, it is as though I am as well.” The intimate reflection is a departure for Toyoda, who has spent most of his career sidestepping public discussion of his lineage.

Opel Ampera: the full, official technical story

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 25 March 2009 10:05 Opel/Vauxhall predict that the new Ampera production car will sell more in Britain than anywhere else in Europe. The extended range electric vehicle, unveiled at the recent 2009 Geneva motor show, will go on sale here in late 2011 and marketing bosses say the UK is more accepting of hybrids and alternative vehicles than other markets. It’s not clear at this stage how much the Ampera will cost in the UK, but we’re looking at a likely cost around £20,000.

Jaguar Land Rover sales up 32% in January 2013

Jaguar Land Rover sales continue to power ahead, with sales up 32 per cent in January 2013 – 31 per cent up for Land Rover and 40 per cent for Jaguar. We’ve got used to ever increasing sales from both Jaguar and Land Rover in recent years, and 2013 has started for JLR in the same manner as 2012 – with sales up by 32 per cent. JLR are reporting sales up in every major market, with China topping the list with an increase of 74 per cent, but even the UK (up 33 per cent) and USA (up 24 per cent) performed well and, despite sales falling across Europe for most car makers, Jaguar Land Rover managed to increase their sale by 10 per cent on the Continent.