05 06 07 Honda Accord Hybrid Eps Electronic Power Steering Unit 39980-sdr-a01 on 2040-parts.com

Mercedes CL facelift (2010): first official photos

This is the newly facelifted Mercedes CL500; although previously tipped to be called the S-Class Coupé, Mercedes stuck with the original name after all. Alongside the soon-to-be industry-standard daytime running lights and updated grille, lights and exhaust, most of the changes on the new 2010 Merc CL are in areas you can't see. The biggest change is in the engine bay: out goes the old 5.5-litre V8 and in comes a more powerful and economical 4.7-litre bi-turbo.

Japan automakers extend shutdowns as quake impact widens

Japan's seven big automakers are extending nationwide production shutdowns amid growing concern about supply chain interruptions, power shortages and export difficulties following the massive earthquake and tsunami that hammered northern Japan, killing thousands. Toyota Motor Corp., one of the few automakers with a major manufacturing presence in the quake zone, suspended all manufacturing--at both assembly and parts plants--on Monday and extended the shutdown through at least Wednesday as an added precaution. The company will lose output of roughly 40,000 vehicles over the three-day period, spokesman Dion Corbett said.

Toyota tests chips that improve hybrid efficiency by 10 percent

Toyota announced on Tuesday that it has developed a new semiconductor, claiming it can boost fuel efficiency in hybrid cars by an impressive 10 percent. The semiconductors manage the flow of electricity through the power-control unit that connects the battery to an electric or hybrid car's motor and generator. The newly developed semiconductors are said to consume only a tenth of the energy of today's chips, while allowing the power-control unit to be 80 percent smaller.