Oe Style Clutch Cable / Yamaha Yz250 2005-2014 / 105-357 on 2040-parts.com

NHTSA proposes rules for automakers to add sound to hybrids, EVs

Automakers would need to make hybrids and electric vehicles emit sound under rules that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed on Monday. The rules, ordered by Congress three years ago, are meant to protect pedestrians and bicyclists from vehicles that make little sound when using electric power. NHTSA says that designing the vehicles to make noise at speeds below 18 mph would prevent about 2,800 injuries over the life of each model year of vehicles.

Suzuki Grand Vitara Facelift revealed

Suzuki in Japan has revealed a facelifted version of the Escudo in Japan, better known in Europe as the Suzuki Grand Vitara. The Suzuki Grand Vitara has been with us since the dinosaurs ruled the earth. Well, it certainly seems that long and the Vitara was pretty much in at the start of the sales phenomenon that is the compact SUV.

Honda CR-Z Hybrid by 2010

Honda are bringing the Honda CR-Z Hybrid to market next year, based on the CR-Z Concept from 2007 Honda’s first production Hybrid – the Honda Insight, recently called the worst car in the world – has not been a resounding success. True, it looks better than the Toyota Prius but – and we haven’t driven one yet so we can’t comment from our own experience – it’s not a great car. It has also been eclipsed – after a promising start – by the Toyota Prius, which has doubled its sales in Japan.