Green motorists who try and do their bit for the planet by replacing worn car parts as soon as possible to ensure their vehicle is running at its most efficient may be pleased to hear the latest news from smart.

The company has announced its fortwo electric drive model is ready for small series production.

London mayor Boris Johnson said: "It is absolutely fantastic to see manufacturers like smart leading the way to make the electric vehicle an easy choice."

The new fortwo features a lithium-ion battery, with a longer range, better performance and shorter charging time than previous editions.

Smart revealed the cars would arrive in the UK early next year.

However, motorists who cannot afford to shell out for a brand new electric auto may find there are other steps they can take to improve their eco credentials.

Replacing worn car parts as soon as possible can ensure a vehicle’s impact on the planet is minimised.

Parents who do everything within their power to ensure their vehicles are as safe as possible – including replacing worn car parts – may be concerned to hear the latest verdict on child seats.

According to Which?, some products are so complicated to install they could pose a danger to youngsters.

The consumer group went as far as to say certain items should be avoided altogether.

In addition, the organisation highlighted the fact the majority of mums and dads do not know how long kids should be making use of child seats.

Some 60 per cent of those questioned were unaware youngsters should be secured in this manner until they were 12 years old or 135 cm tall.

Which? editor Richard Headland commented: "Unfortunately, there’s still huge confusion amongst parents about who should be using a child car seat and not enough advice on how to fit seats properly."

Meanwhile, parents looking to make sure their autos are as safe as possible may find they can pick up cheap car spares online.

With an increased number of people planning to jump in their motors and holiday in the UK this year, it is more important than ever they check the condition of one of the most important car parts there is, it has been claimed.

According to Protyre, it is vital vehicle owners ensure they do not have worn or defective tyres if they want to avoid an accident.

It added at the moment, nearly 25 per cent of autos in the UK are being driven on tyres that do not meet minimum legal requirements.

People keen to make sure their motor is not one of these vehicles have been urged to drop in to their local Protyre outlet for a free summer holiday check.

Before embarking on a long journey, drivers may also want to replace any worn internal parts with car spares bought online, as this too may reduce their chances of being involved in a collision.

The number of people searching for Audi car parts online may increase after owners hear about the manufacturer’s latest success.

Drivers may be impressed to discover the company has scooped four 2009 British Insurance Vehicle Security Awards.

The A5 topped the convertible group, the S8 triumphed in the performance car class and the A4 secured first prize in the compact executive category.

In addition, the manufacturer was awarded the overall honour for top-notch auto security for the fourth year in a row.

Director Jeremy Hicks expressed delight at all four accolades.

He stated: "The fact that Audi security has come to the fore on so many successive occasions really is a ringing endorsement to the lengths to which Audi AG’s security team has gone."

Meanwhile, people who own one of the luxury marque’s vehicles and have been happy with its performance may find there are certain steps they can take to keep their auto running smoothly.

Replacing worn parts with Audi car spares bought online may allow them to hang on to their pride and joy for many years to come.

The Hyundai Elantra LPI hybrid electric vehicle has undergone a final interior and exterior redesign. These changes, it is hoped, will help differentiate the Elantra LPI from its gasoline powered sibling.

Describing some of its design features:

“The Elantra LPI hybrid features new modern shaped head-lights, redesigned signature grille that looks very close to the one seen on a facelifted Hyundai Accent and slightly sportier front bumper. At rear, the hybrid version of Elantra received a slightly redesigned rear bumper and new lip spoiler. Styling updates continue in the cabin with the redesigned center stack, which now features new air-vents and large navigation LCD display.”

Hyundai Motor Company has been accepting pre-launch orders for its all-new 2010 Hyundai Elantra LPI hybrid in South Korean market since Monday

Images of its new look are available on the web. Customers anxious to get a closer look will probably have the chance during the official Elantra hybrid launching ceremony scheduled for July 8th.

UK Hyundai fans who are looking for parts for older models may find spares readily available online

Carrying out a small scale car repairs on your own vehicle may take little more than a bit of research and the purchasing of new and used car parts online. The task facing BMW China is significant larger, as they have had to recall as many as 1,694 of its 7-series sedans in China in order to fix a problem that has been occurring with the gas pipes.

This news was announced by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine on Friday. The set date of recollection is June 25 and will come at no cost to the customer. The administration said in a statement that “gas pipes in these cars could be disconnected due to substandard production materials, which could lead to engine failure”

BMW now faces the long job of remodelling the gas pipes and replaceing the gas tanks for over a thousand vehicles.

After 4 years of dominance, BMW have finally had to relinquish hold on the title of ‘Engine of the Year’.

This years award was claimed by Volkswagen’s innovative 1,4-litre TSI Twincharger four-cylinder engine. To add to the glory the engine also claimed vixtory in the Green Engine of the Year category

Stiff Competition:

The race was still very close and BMW 3,0-litre direct injection twin turbo was only ousted by a four point difference. BMW also notably ranked 2^nd and 3^rd place in Best New Engine and 2^nd in Best Performance Engine categories.

TSI’s triumph is likely to be viewed as an important hallmark for those supporting the downsizing of internal combustion engines over other solutions such as gasoline hybrids and full electric vehicles

Dean Slavnich, editor of Engine Technology International and co-chairman of the International Engine of the Year Awards had the folowing to say on the matter:

“The international judging panel is hugely impressed by this VW engine. It’s a masterstroke of downsizing technology and a real engineering showcase. I have no doubt that this engine will become the template for a whole new generation of high efficiency, small capacity engines in the years to come,”

Volkswagen and BMW drivers who are looking to keep their engine in tip top condition may find the purchase of spare parts (such as engine sensors and anchillaries) online an effective way to maintain their vehicles.

With Father’s Day fast approaching you may be stuck for gift ideas.

Fortunately Vauxhall have done all the thinking for you.

This year they are offering a range of affordable car accessory packs. For the safety conscious driver there is a kit including: a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, a warning triangle, and high visibility vest. Hopefully he wont be needing them any-time soon, but better safe than sorry

For the father who takes pride in his old banger there is a kit including a new set of velour floor mats which will help keep his car clean, whilst privacy shades could help keep his car cool

If your old man has more specific car requirements, then a range of other car accessories and parts can be purchased online from http://www.247spares.co.uk

In the rush for designers and manufacturers to target in on the growing demand for greener cars the buzz word in the car industry have to be ‘hybrid’ or ‘electric’. Most major car manufactures from General Motors, Ford and Toyota are all pushing in the direction of the electric car.

But a big question that seems to be overlooking is who is going to make the battery for such vehicles? Batteries are expensive, highly technical, and should by no means be overshadowed, by more marketable considerations.

Those who invest in this industry could stand to make substantial profits

Early prediction might see battery manufactures like BYD coming to monopolize the market

 “The Chinese company controls nearly one-third of the world’s cellphone-battery market, but recently decided to make cars and now is pushing hard into electric transportation”

David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research thinks that batteries will become so important that guaranteeing their production in the U.S. will become a matter of national security. “I’ve never seen anything that has as much potential to alter the way this industry operates,”

In the meantime, car owners with more immediate battery problems may find the purchasing of spare parts online a helpful solution.

In terms of a general contribution towards world pollution China, in a range of categories, must rank pretty high; with its soaring population, congested cities, and vast industry, spewing out fumes and waste by the day.

As the world’s fastest growing auto market (according to the National Bureau of Statistics) things only look to get worse, with CO2 emissions rocketing.

In an attempt to stem the tide Chinese car makers – Dongfeng Motor Corporation, in joint effort with a Dutch-based company (mirroring Detroit Electric’s agreement with Malaysian carmaker Protonis)are aiming to develop and manufacture electric cars.

The exact details of the deal have not been released but the two companies have also been discussing forming a joint venture to: “manufacture, assemble, produce and supply the Detroit Electric’s electric drive technology to the Dongfeng Group and other vehicle manufacturers”.

If successful Detroit Electric would be leading the way in the mass-production of electric cars. And we are not just talking about hybrids here, but cars driven entirely by a noiseless battery-powered motor, .

“The more I learn, the more I believe the electric car is the future,” said Mr CEO of Detroit Electrics Albert Lam.

Consumers hoping to reduce their carbon footprint may find that the purchase of new car parts online could lead to increased performance that will lower excess emissions.