Acdelco Ls100 Cornering Light Socket on 2040-parts.com

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.

Unique book captures iconic motor racing colours

A BEAUTIFUL new book has been released that documents 77 different liveries from famous racing cars throughout the decades. Among the famous and celebrated paint schemes set out in Racing Colours are Gulf, Martini and British Racing Green classics from the racetrack and even from cinema, like that of the Porsche 917K driven by Steve McQueen’s Michael Delaney in the 1970 film Le Mans. A racing car’s livery is a key component in the enjoyment of motorsport through creating attractive car designs.

Concept Car of the Week: Nissan Nails (2001)

Japan's unique culture and lifestyle provides a fertile environment for some of the strangest ideas to blossom. The oddly named Nissan Nails is one of these eccentric concepts that shows typical Japanese thinking. Halfway between Gundam and a Pokemon, it was designed in Creative Box.