Big Boy's Toys..

TOM’s helped develop an unusual helmet inspired by growing bear fears in Japan. Face shield aims to reduce facial injury risks during scary outdoor encounters. Maker repeatedly stresses it doesn’t guarantee protection against bear attacks. If someone told you they’d just placed an order with TOM’s you might imagine them waiting on a set of coilovers for a Lexus, an exhaust for a GR Yaris or maybe a flawless AE86 resto . Even with a gazillion guesses you’d never think the motorsport outfit’s latest innovation was bear protection gear. Yes, bears, the furry things that live and do their thing in the woods. TOM’s, the legendary Japanese tuning and motorsports company best known for decades of success with Toyota and Lexus machinery, has helped develop a new helmet called Protect Light to keep people safe from them. It’s aimed at farmers, walkers, and anyone uneasy about Japan ‘s growing number of bear sightings. Related: TOM’S Turns Japan’s ...

Modern headlights increasingly require replacement instead of simple repair procedures. Insurer says repair-friendly designs could significantly reduce costs and CO2 emissions. Toyota highlighted as a rare example offering more repair-friendly headlight components. A parking lot scrape used to mean a bit of paintwork and maybe a bruised ego. These days, it can also mean a four-figure headlight bill. According to German insurance giant Allianz, modern vehicle lighting technology has become one of the biggest contributors to rising repair costs. The company says roughly 870,000 headlights are damaged in accidents every year in Germany alone. Even more shocking is how much replacement costs have climbed, Handelsblatt reports. Allianz estimates the average price of a single headlight increased from €708 ($810) in 2015 to €1,251 ($1,430) in 2025, while some units can reportedly cost as much as €6,700 ($7,650) a piece. Why A Small Scrape Cost...

Tesla’s profits have taken a hit due to its huge investment in AI. Second-quarter deliveries hit a record 480,126 units this year. Demand has increased across Europe and through Asia Pacific. Earlier this month, Tesla said second-quarter sales bounced back hard after large stretches of last year went sideways, landing the company a record. Then Wednesday’s Q2 earnings landed. By Thursday’s close, shares had slid 14.5 percent to $319.69, wiping out $214.5 billion of market value in one session. According to WSJ , that’s the worst single day in Tesla’s history, and the sum lost exceeds the entire current market cap of every other automaker. Across April, May, and June of this year, Tesla produced a total of 451,758 vehicles and delivered 480,126. This represents the best Q2 result in the company’s history and was up 25 percent from the same quarter last year. The increase also followed consecutive year-over-year declines in quarterly deliveries...

New boss Michael Leiters has been tasked with turning around the brand. Porsche posted a 93 percent decline in operating profit last year. Tariffs and an over-commitment to EVs have hurt the company. Volkswagen isn’t the only one trimming headcount in Europe’s largest automaking group. A new report says Porsche is preparing its own round of job cuts, with the supervisory board having signed off on a wider restructuring package to go along with them. The German sports car maker is now run by Michael Leiters, who spent just under three years as chief executive of McLaren before taking the job. He replaced Oliver Blume, who had been splitting his attention between the top seats at both VW and Porsche. Read: Porsche’s Mega SUV Drops EV Plan For V8 Power And An Audi Link As part of his efforts to turn the company around, Leiters could cut between 5,000 and 6,000 jobs by 2035, in addition to the 3,900 redundancies already announced while P...

Most Common OBD-II Trouble Codes Explained . (Complete Guide for US Car Owners) If your Check Engine Light has turned on, an OBD-II scanner can read a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) that helps identify the problem. Since 1996, all cars sold in the United States use the OBD-II standard, meaning many common codes have the same basic definition across brands like Ford, Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and others. This guide explains the most common OBD-II codes, what they mean, common symptoms, likely causes, and links to detailed troubleshooting. What Is an OBD-II Code? OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics II) is the standard diagnostic system used in modern vehicles. When the engine or emissions system detects a fault, it stores a trouble code and usually turns on the Check Engine Light. Most Common OBD-II Codes P0420 – Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1) Usually caused by a failing catalytic converter, a faulty oxygen sensor, or an exhaust leak....

North Carolina Approves Digital Vehicle Registration and License Plate Cameras North Carolina drivers can expect significant changes after state lawmakers approved a new budget that modernizes how vehicles are registered and expands the use of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs). The legislation introduces two major updates: Paper vehicle registration cards and windshield renewal stickers will eventually be replaced with a secure electronic registration system. Automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), previously operating under a pilot program, are now permanently authorized on state-owned property. These measures aim to improve efficiency, reduce administrative costs, and enhance law enforcement's ability to verify vehicle information electronically. Paper Vehicle Registration Cards Will Be Phased Out For years, North Carolina law has required motorists to carry a printed vehicle registration card inside their vehicle. Under the new budget, that requirement will gra...

  Kim Kardashian Buys $285,000 Vintage 1973 Ford Bronco for Her Idaho Mountain Home Kim Kardashian has added another unique vehicle to her already impressive garage—but this time, it's not a luxury SUV or an exotic supercar. The reality TV star and entrepreneur recently purchased a fully restored 1973 Ford Bronco valued at approximately $285,000 , reportedly for use at her summer home in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho . The classic SUV has quickly become one of the most talked-about celebrity cars of the summer. A Classic Bronco with Modern Performance Rather than buying a factory-original classic, Kardashian opted for a restomod built by Velocity Restorations , a Florida-based company known for transforming vintage Ford Broncos into modern, high-performance classics. The SUV retains the timeless look of the first-generation Bronco while receiving extensive mechanical and interior upgrades. Key Features 1973 Ford Bronco Ranger Estimated value: $285,000 Forest Green exteri...