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

Japan automakers extend shutdowns as quake impact widens

Japan's seven big automakers are extending nationwide production shutdowns amid growing concern about supply chain interruptions, power shortages and export difficulties following the massive earthquake and tsunami that hammered northern Japan, killing thousands. Toyota Motor Corp., one of the few automakers with a major manufacturing presence in the quake zone, suspended all manufacturing--at both assembly and parts plants--on Monday and extended the shutdown through at least Wednesday as an added precaution. The company will lose output of roughly 40,000 vehicles over the three-day period, spokesman Dion Corbett said.

UK car sales up 11% in May (2013)

The Ford Fiesta (pictured) was again the best selling car in the UK The rise and rise of new car registrations in the UK continues to defy the rest of the economy, with figures up in May 2013 by 11 per cent year on year, and private sales up a massive 20.9 per cent to levels last seen in 2007. It’s the fifteenth month in succession new car registration have risen in the UK, with sales for May at 180,111 and total sales to date in 2013 hitting almost 1 million units, at 948,666. The SMMT think the big jump in private registrations is down to a number of factors, including cars bought under the scrappage scheme now being traded in for a new car, strong incentives from car makers and the promise of new cars offering lower running costs, and they’re probably right, although there are other factors in play too.

Rolls Royce Wraith Drophead Coupe confirmed for production.

The Rolls Royce Wraith (pictured) will get a Drophead sibling in 2016 It was always likely that Rolls Royce would take their ‘affordable’ model – the RR Ghost – and make a coupe version. What wasn’t really on the cards is that they would give it a more dramatic style – and a more driver-focused experience – and tag a name from the past on it to create a new Rolls Royce Wraith for the 21st century. But that’s exactly what they’ve done, and the Wraith does seem to be an effective tool for Rolls Royce to extend the appeal of their cars to a new, perhaps younger, demographic.