Gm Chevrolet Corvette Nos T-top Latch Lock Adjustment Bolt 1977- 1982 on 2040-parts.com

Kia goes (dark) green

By Jesse Crosse Motor Industry 23 September 2008 11:00 Kia has unveiled a portfolio of new environmental technologies, including a 1.4-litre Ceed with stop-start (due in the UK in 2009), a Ceed hybrid and the latest version of its fuel cell-powered Sportage. The Korean manufacturer is investing heavily in research and development and will increase its spend on R&D from £2.2 billion this year to £2.6 billion by 2010, combined with a 40 percent increase in manpower at its research centres around the globe. The money is being spent on developing downsized, turbocharged engines, efficiency improvements to conventional engines such as friction reduction and the separation of accessories like water pumps from the engine.

Yaris To Launch This Summer Bursting With Kit

JAPANESE car maker Toyota is launching its new Yaris supermini this summer, and hopes to broaden the car’s appeal with a revised range. The firm is offering more choice, more equipment options and a wealth of advanced features for on-board comfort, communications, safety and style as it launches the Yaris into an increasingly competitive market sector. Established Active and Icon grades are joined by new Sport and Excel trims.

Volkswagen UK’s dealer showrooms get a revamp

It’s an interesting exercise to ponder on the future of main dealer showrooms as the world moves more and more towards an online buying experience. Are car showrooms a relic of the past or the perfect way, still, to showcase the offerings from a car maker? Volkswagen are taking no chances on the future and have already rolled out their ‘Digital Showrooms’ across the dealer network where staff get iPads and advanced web tools to try and bring the on-line and off-line worlds in to a workable intersection, and offer customers virtual product that wouldn’t otherwise be available on show.