Mercruiser Thunderbolt Ignition Module 15247a1 on 2040-parts.com

Nissan opens new design studio in Beijing

Delayed by the deadly earthquake that hit Japan earlier this year, Nissan Motor Co.'s new design center in Beijing finally received a proper opening this week, when global design chief Shiro Nakamura showed off the studio as a new source of ideas for Nissan and Infiniti. Nissan Design China, as the Beijing-based center is known, "is not a studio to just generate ideas for China," Nakamura said in an interview with Car Design News. It's equipped to handle designs of show cars and production cars for both Nissan and Infiniti brands, aimed at customers in China, as well as around the world.

Toyota hands over small-car development to its European unit

Toyota Motor Corp.'s European division next month will take charge of global product planning for small cars as the Japanese automaker expands model research and development in the region. The change, announced Dec. 17, means that Toyota will count on Europe to develop future products in the minicar, subcompact and compact segments, something that Ford Motor Co.

Spies given licence to speed

Secret agents are to be given the right to speed when behind the wheel, under changes of the law expected to be announced today. Currently, MI5 and MI6 officers have to stick to the rules of the road, even when national security is under threat. On Bing: see pictures of James Bond Find out how much a used Aston Martin costs on Auto Trader However, new plans to be announced by transport minister Robert Goodwill will give spies the same exemptions as emergency services.