Vdo Tachometer 91164130105 With Gasket Porsche 911 on 2040-parts.com

Germany plans to charge foreigners to drive on the Autobahn

Germany plans to charge foreigners to drive on the Autobahn It seems Germany is planning to charge to use the Autobahn network – just as France does – but it plans to levy the charge just on foreign visitors. The plan is part of a deal by Angela Merkel’s Social Democrat party to form a new coalition and would see all non-German drivers paying a fixed toll to use the Autobahns. But the plan is coming under fire from neighbouring countries (Germany has borders with nine other countries) and even from its own version of the AA – the ADAC – who say the revenue likely to be raised – around £220 million – will do little to address the costs.

GM to slash global vehicle platforms by more than half, to 14, by 2018

General Motors says it will cut the number of vehicle platforms it uses globally by more than half over the next decade, in a bid to reduce complexity and save on product-development costs. “More of our components will be common, and more of our vehicles will be on global architectures,” GM CEO Dan Akerson told analysts on Tuesday. His remarks came as GM kicked off a series of presentations online, billed as its 2011 Global Business Conference.

Concept Car of the Week: Honda Kiwami (2003)

As part of Honda's exploration into new, clean-performing technologies, the Kiwami concept was created to test public acceptance of the idea of a large, fuel cell-powered luxury sedan.  Unveiled in 2003, the simple yet striking design seemed like a Japanese twist on the Renault Vel Satis concept, which shared a similar wedge profile, wide stance and minimalist approach.  However, the Kiwami found its own interpretation of modern luxury, expressed through elegantly integrated technology rather than with crystal champagne glasses.  Up front, a full-width LED strip headlamp sat flush with the flat bonnet and the rectangular bumper to create a design of primitive beauty.  Further examples of the same simple Japanese aesthetic are found around the car, including the uncluttered body panels and a full-width tail-lamp graphic that matched the front theme.  The dramatic proportions of the interior were closely related to the package of the hydrogen power plant. Unlike other manufacturers at the time, Honda engineers did not create a 'skateboard' fuel cell chassis below the cabin. Instead, a sideways H-shaped layout for the control unit, ultracapacitor, fuel cell stack, hydrogen storage and other components was used, helping to create a lower center of gravity.