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.

Caterham Seven 165 prototype stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

2013 marks 40 years of Caterham Cars since what was originally a Lotus dealership took over production of the Series 4 Lotus Seven in 1973. Now, at Frankfurt 2013, the British manufacturer is debuting its newest model – the Seven 165 prototype – set to become the entry-level version and the lightest, most efficient Caterham ever when it goes on sale in the UK in 2014. We like the fact that you will be able to buy a Caterham for less than £17,000 and still be able to embarrass much more expensive machinery when the going gets twisty.

Ford testing self-parking cars – with or without a driver (video)

Ford testing self-parking cars – with or without a driver It seems we’re heading to the point where cars can do more and more for the driver, and fully autonomous cars seem to be less than a decade away. On the way to the fully autonomous car, car makers will be offering stages on the way as the ability of cars to be self-controlling moves along, and Ford are heading in that direction with their new systems for parking and obstacle avoidance. Ford are running prototypes with Fully Assisted Parking, a system that manages to sense a space, control the steering, gearbox and brakes to park the car at the touch of a button, even if the driver isn’t actually in the car.