88 Yamaha Phazer Deluxe Pz 480 E Gauges H8 on 2040-parts.com

BMW open up shop on eBay – BMW Direct

BMW - open for business on eBay Remarkably, BMW are the first car maker to open up shop on eBay in the UK – BMW Direct – and although such a move would have been frowned on just a few years ago it now makes huge sense. It’s clear that this is aimed at parts for older BMWs – where owners wouldn’t normally consider visiting a BMW dealer to grab parts to keep their pride and joy on the road – rather than aiming at the owner of a new M5 grabbing a set of pads to shove on over the weekend. But the biggest scope is for accessories - genuine BMW accessories being the key – with just a mouse-click away from a buy for everything from a new set of 19″  alloys at £3,300  to a BMW Windscreen?/Window/Glass Cleaner + Telescopic Handle at £5.95.

Iowa distributes thumb bands imprinted with ‘TXTING KILLS'

Thumb bands that read “TXTNG KILLS” have been making their way around the state of Iowa, the Wall Street Journal reports. The bands--which are meant to serve as a reminder to avoid texting while driving--have been distributed at events such as the Iowa State Fair and the Iowa-Iowa State college football game. “A lot of people want them for their kids,” Courtney Greene, spokeswoman for Iowa's Department of Public Safety, told the Wall Street Journal.

IAT Crosswind II concept (w/ Gallery)

The Crosswind II concept was one of three very competently resolved full-size models displayed on IAT's large stand at the Beijing motor show. A development of the Cross-Coupé model seen two years ago in Beijing. It's a simple concept: the top half is coupé, the lower half has a tough offroader aesthetic,  and it's powered by a 150kW electric motor.