Timken 513202 Front Hub Assembly on 2040-parts.com

New techniques cut cost of carbon fiber

Carbon fiber, once so costly that it was the preferred material only for fighter planes and supercars, is catching the attention of weight-conscious automakers. Carbon fiber's cost is falling dramatically, thanks to production advances that let suppliers speed the material's finicky, and costly, curing process. One technological breakthrough that makes carbon-fiber auto parts more affordable may come from a process used to make carbon-fiber golf clubs.

Car insurance premiums 'too high'

CAR INSURANCE premiums are too high and should be reduced through far-reaching reforms, the competition watchdog said today. The Competition Commission believes that too many drivers are footing the bill for unnecessary costs incurred during the claims process following an accident. These costs are initially borne by the insurers of at-fault drivers, but they feed through into increased insurance premiums for all drivers.

Mercedes-Benz hits 100,000 UK sales for first time

FOR THE first time in its history Mercedes-Benz UK has sold more than 100,000 cars in a year. The milestone car, an A 180 CDI Sport bought at Mercedes-Benz of Bristol, now belongs to Jamie Leigh Arndell, who works as Transport Manager at Bristol and Avon Group. “It was a lovely surprise to pick up my new car and be told I was the company’s 100,000th customer [this year],” she said at the handover of the car.