auto parts: August 2012

Return Of The Rotary?

Mazda recently killed off its consumer market rotary offering, the RX-8, but according to Motor Authority, Mazda may use a rotary engine as a range extender in a hybrid electric application.

The neat thing about using a rotary (or any other) engine as a range extender, is that you can optimize the engine for electricity generation duty, and run them at a more efficient operating point.

Myths and Truths about 55mpg CAFE

Ranting against the CAFE regulations is one of my favorite topics.

Here are some of my reactions to some of the myths that the Obama administration is promoting about the new 54mpg-by-2025 CAFE plan.

"Cars will still be affordable"--no, not exactly. The government's estimate on the average mark-up to meet CAFE was around $2,000/car. However, realize that this is based on various assumptions, which may not play out, and probably does not take unintended market consequences into account. If batteries continue to be very expensive; if there is a shortage of key materials because everyone is rushing to electrify; large vehicles may have to be over-priced to offset losses on small vehicles, and etc. The other unintended side effects: if cars are more expensive up front, financing will be harder to get for some customers, causing lost sales. People will hold on to used cars longer, making used cars more expensive, and ironically, reducing fleet fuel economy and safety.

"Consumers will be able to choose" -- Actually, I see consumers being pushed towards smaller, lighter vehicles and hybrid-electric vehicles, giving up some utility and cargo capacity. I also larger vehicles like pickup trucks becoming more expensive. The wealthy will be able to buy whatever they want, even V8 powered muscle cars, but the average joe will be pushed towards small cars.

"This will create jobs" -- dubious. Yes, you may need more engineers to engineer the advanced fuel saving powertrains. However, that may be offset by losses in dealerships and other secondary jobs, if overall new car volume goes down. And if China starts importing cheap fuel efficient or battery electric cars down the road, undercutting the American makers, expect job losses. If new car volume is reduced, manufacturing jobs will suffer also.

"Energy Independence" -- sort of. Less oil use is good, for that goal. And so is electrification. However, the raw materials of electric vehicles--rare earth metals like neodymium, and battery components like lithium, are overwhelmingly supplied by countries like China and Russia. We will be at the mercy of a different sort of cartel.

"Good for the middle class" -- Higher cost vehicles, less choice in the market, older average age of vehicles on the road, possible job losses in dealerships and manufacturing plants. The only thing good here for the middle class is a smaller gas bill.

New SAP video: the connected car means business

I always enjoy a good read on the connected car — a topic that is very near and dear to me. One of the latest articles in particular that excites me is a recent contributed piece for Forbes, “Can Connected Cars Help Change The World?” by Judith Magyar, executive office, product GTM and mobile division at SAP.

Why the excitement? Well, for one, the attention-grabbing headline is backed up by an insightful analysis of the promise of the connected car — even touching on the notion of the connected car as a means of environmental change and the four factors that are essential to this vision becoming reality. What’s more, Magyar uses QNX Software Systems’ very own concept car as an example of how the connected car and its real-world use cases are coming to fruition!

Want to see QNX and SAP’s collaboration in action? Check out this video, which shows how all of this technology would come together in one (very beautiful) vehicle:

SOLD - ST 202 - Celica Half Cut

Sold To Local Customer
This Half Cut Celica Model ST 202 - Engine 3S - GE - Red Top Beams VVTI - Auto , Selling Together With All The Parts Shown In The Photos

Selling As Is Where Is Basis

To View Engine Revving, Click Video Below :-

General View Of The Half Cut

General View Of The Speedometer

Mileage Reading :- 204363 Kilometers Or 126,985 Miles

Engine Tag Information

Chassis Number

Front View Of The Engine Bay

Side View Of The Engine Bay

Inner Part Of The Engine

General View Of The Undercarriage

Bumper - Good Condition

Driver Side - Headlamps / Bumper Signal Lamp And Spot Light - Good Condition

Driver Side - Fender - Damaged

Driver Side - Original Absorber With Brake Caliper And Rotor

Close View Of The Damaged Area

Driver Side - Fender - Dented

Bonnet - Dented

Passenger Side - Headlamps /Bumper Signal Lamp And Spot Light - Good Condition

Passenger Side - Fender - Damaged

Passenger Side - Original Absorber With Barke Caliper And Rotor

Passenger Side - Fender - Damaged

Rear Absorbers With Brake Calipers And Rotors

General View Of The Half Cut

SOLD Mazda Familia BG - Half Cut

SOLD To Local Customer
This Half Cut Model Familia BG8R - Engine BP - Turbo - Manual - 4WD , Selling Together With All The Parts Shown In The Photos

Selling As Is Where Is Basis

To View Engine Revving, Click Video Below :-