Kawasaki Nos New 27010-3001 Start Switch Js Js440 Jet Ski 1977-81 on 2040-parts.com

Car-buying confidence hits new high

THE NUMBER of people who believe they will buy a new car in the next three years has jumped to 71%, according to the latest AA Car Purchase Index; up from 55% last year. Of the 19,786 survey respondents who said they were going to buy a new car, 42% said they would choose a petrol engine, with 38% saying definitely diesel. A further 13% don’t know what fuel type they will opt for, but 7% will choose some kind of hybrid and 1% will go fully electric – a total of exactly 100 respondents.

Ford invents agile, low-cost solution for prototyping, customization and limited production [w/video]

A new metal forming technique pioneered by Ford that drastically reduces the time and cost of producing low-volume and one-off body parts may lead to cost-effective customization, redesigns, one-offs and limited production runs. Ford Freeform Fabrication Technology (F3T) forms sheets of metal by two stylus-like tools, one on each side of the surface. Using CAD data they form the part to the exacting strength and finish tolerances usually associated with stamping dies.

Honda readies FCEV Concept for LA Auto Show

Honda revealed a sketch of its fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) Concept on Nov. 11 ahead of the upcoming LA Auto Show. Honda says the concept points to a potential styling direction for the production version of the high-tech vehicle, which is slated to launch in 2015.