Depo Driver & Passenger Side Marker Repeater Light 98-05 Mercedes Benz M-class on 2040-parts.com

Feds: Backup cameras in all new cars by 2018

The U.S. Department of Transportation today finalized a set of federal standards for rear visibility that will require all new vehicles under 10,000 pounds to have backup cameras by mid-2018. Congress called for the rules in 2008 after a spate of accidents in which parents driving cars or trucks backed over their young children, killing them.

Classic Toyota bus back in service

TOYOTA has restored one of its classic buses and is now using it again to transport staff around its factory in Japan. The 1969 Toyota Coaster looks better than new after a full rebuild by workers at the company’s HQ. They had to scour the shelves of warehouses to find unused original parts to help bring back the classic bus to full health.

Videos: Volkswagen's exterior and interior designers highlight the Up's design elements

We've enjoyed the design of Volkswagen's new Up since we first saw the vehicle in concept form at the 2007 Frankfurt motor show. Devoid of any extraneous detailing, the simple, product design aesthetic is pared back to represent the crux of VW's design philosophy: pure, simple and solid.  The result is a harmonious design that stands out from the pack, with simple surfacing and subtle detailing; the Up's design is pure and minimalistic, which serves to exude quality in the product. Inside, the vehicle is brimming with space-saving design details.  From an IP devoid of central air vents to a thin headrest that visually extends the height of the interior, the Up is a success story in space efficiency, but it is also finished to a high level using quality materials.