Car Parts Euro

World’s Smallest Car to Make Return to Production

2010-08-25T06:21:00.000-07:00

With the increased media attention on the eco-friendly benefits of smaller cars all over the world, it comes as no surprise that the smallest car ever made will be entering production once again!

That’s right, the 1962 Peel P-50 is coming back, for a small production run of 50 new cars. The 50 cars are expected to sell out fast with the media attention the car has acquired from having spotlight slots on world renouned programmes such as Top Gear, where over 6 foot giant Jeremy Clarkson drove to work at the BBC in a blue Peel P-50 for the show.

Here’s some stats to help further demonstrate the micro-ness of this microcar!

Wheelbase – 50 inches
Total Length – 52.8 inches
Height – 47.2 inches
Weight – 130 pounds

At just 47 inches high, you’d be right in thinking we’re surely in toy car sizes now, and no full grown man could fit inside, but if Jeremy Clarkson can do it, so can you!

The new Peel P-50’s are expected to cost around £12,499 a pop, so not cheap, but a relatively small price to pay to own the smallest car ever to have been in production. The new cars will use an electric powertrain instead of the scooter engine used previously.

Oh, did I mention the car also features one, yes one door, and an inability to reverse, unless you fancy jumping round back and pulling on the grab bar at the back?

Finding the right Car Parts

2010-06-22T02:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes finding high quality used car parts can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. There is so much choice available in the market today making it increasingly complicated to find the best deals.
In addition with the increasing use of the internet, many smaller car parts dealers have begun to exploit this marketing channel as a primary method of enabling consumers to access their current available car parts.

This is where Car Parts Euro steps out and offers a comprehensive service that enables fast, reliable searching for high quality car parts from all over the UK and Europe. Consumers are given results quickly enabling them to purchase over the phone or direct with the car parts supplier.

Car dealerships often offer car parts direct from the vehicle manufacturer because they are able to stipulate that car parts not purchased from an authorised dealer will result in invalidating the cars warranty. This results in the manufacture being able to mark up the price of the car parts substantially to gain a huge profit.

In my own experience I have found that sourcing your own car parts can be considerably cheaper. For example a CEL light came on in my old Celica which was causing the engine to run lumpy. I knew this was due to a faulty lambda sensor but Toyota quoted £1500 to have the entire exhaust manifold replaced. £50 from Car Parts Euro and fitted myself in no time fixed the problem and the engine ran fine ever since. Obviously the car was out of warranty so this is where I reaped the benefits, though warranty can help if the car is recalled for specific car parts.

During this experience I found an overwhelming amount of choice online but what lead me to make the decision was the company that was able to offer quick, reliable and cost effective service.

If you have a specific car part request then why not try out the Car Parts Euro search tool and find the part you require? I can guarantee you will find what you are looking for from the thousands of suppliers all over the UK.

Dirty Cars are Bad for your Health?

2010-06-22T01:43:00.000-07:00

If someone were to ask you, what is the most dangerous aspect of a car? You’d probably say exhaust fumes, or getting hit by one! However, new research has uncovered the dangers a dirty car interior can pose to your health. If you’re not cleaning your seats and dashboards regularly, you could be creating a breeding ground for disease causing bacteria.

Swabs were taken from sample cars at Halfords branches in the UK as part of a project they were running. Scientific analysis of the swabs revealed two kinds of bacteria that are linked to skin infections such as impetigo and food poisoning. An article in the Telegraph explained these contagious bacterial infections were found on door handles, gear sticks, dashboards and steering wheels of the cars.

The tests also showed the presence of the staphylococcus bacteria responsible for skin rashes, on door handles, radio control buttons and below the seats. The other variety of bacteria called Bacillus Cereus was mainly found on the gear shift knob, car mats and below the seats. Researchers believe that these bacteria entered the car via the shoes worn by the driver and passengers.

The telegraph article quotes Dr. Anthony Hilton, who explained that not all of the bacteria found in the tests were harmful. Dr Hilton compared eating from a car dashboard with eating from a toilet seat, explaining that a similar infection would occur from the two.

Halfords also surveyed many of the tested cars drivers and found that more than half of all those surveyed cleaned their car interiors less than once a month. The same proportion also admitted to spilling food or drink in their cars at least once a month.

With the warmer weather arriving over the summer months, Dr Hilton warned of the importance of cleaning food debris from their cars as bacteria can thrive on the tiniest crumbs! Dr Hilton suggested treating your car the same as your dining room, maintaining the same levels of hygiene in both.

Car parts Facebook application

2010-04-21T06:19:00.000-07:00

As part of our continual development to make it even easier for our customers to search and find new and used car parts we have created a new Facebook application. Accessible from within Facebook users can now easily and quickly find new and used car parts online. The application communicates directly with our internal systems and places enquires to our network of suppliers simultaneously.

We are really pleased with the way the application has come out. To use the app simply click the image below.
We value feedback so please let us know what you think of it, good or bad!!!

Car Parts Forum now live

2010-04-21T05:05:00.000-07:00

Car Parts Euro now has an online Forum to access and discuss various related topics on the automotive industry. From the most recent available car parts to the analysis of current common faults on all vehicle manufacture models our new forum provides users with an interactive resource for all the latest updates.

Users can easily login and submit questions or comments to threads, start new topics and request specific details. We have already been busy publishing technical information so please feel free to take a look and if you have a query about your vehicle why not ask online?

We look forward to seeing you at http://forum.carpartseuro.com/

Throttle Systems

2010-04-21T04:53:00.000-07:00

The primary function of the engine throttle is to regulate the air/fuel mix. This is achieved by increasing or decreasing the volume of incoming air by means of a butterfly valve in the throttle body. In general, there are three main types of throttle system:

Mechanical throttle valves controlled via physical linkage from the accelerator pedal
Electromotive throttle valves controlled through a combination of the accelerator pedal and an ECM
Electronic throttle valves controlled via an electronic signal from an ECU

Engine Actuators

2010-04-21T04:52:00.000-07:00

It takes more than simply a tank of fuel to bring an engine to life. Before that fuel can release its energy it must be combined with air. The resulting mix can then be ignited using a carefully timed high-voltage spark.

To achieve optimum combustion in every cylinder under all load conditions, modern engines are equipped with a range of actuator devices which are under the direct control of engine management system. One of the key functions of these devices is to maintain a constant idling speed despite varying demands made by the air conditioning or other electrical systems.

However, a number of faults can still occur that may adversely affect the air/fuel mix. Actuator components can become soiled or seized, which short circuits in the ignition coil can undermine performance. Other potential problems include faulty electromagnetic drive components or a loss of power to individual devices. In each of these cases, it is usually advisable to replace at least one actuator component.

Sensors for Engine Management

2010-04-21T04:50:00.000-07:00

A wide variety of information is required to ensure reliable, safe and efficient vehicle operation. Sensors capture and transmit the necessary data. To fulfil this task they must be designed to be resistant to temperature, moisture, dirt and chemicals, as well as electromagnetic interference, which can occur particularly in the presence of other sensors.

Pressure Sensors can help to boost engine and fuel efficiency, as well as increased vehicle safety and driving comfort. The sensors used are:

Mass Airflow Sensors
Wheel Speed Sensors
Camshaft Sensors
Crankshaft Sensors
Knock Sensors
Pressure Sensors

Mass Airflow Sensors

2010-04-21T04:49:00.002-07:00

The growing need to reduce CO2 emissions means that mass airflow sensors are becoming increasingly important in ensuring the optimum air fuel ratio. They are positioned directly after the air filter in the intake manifold, and they supply information on temperature, humidity and intake air volume.

In petrol engines, they are used in conjunction with other sensor readings to regulate fuel supply, whereas in diesel engines they are used to regulate the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rate and to calculate the maximum injection quantity.

Wheel and Camshaft Sensors

2010-04-21T04:49:00.001-07:00

Wheel speed is always calculated for use in electronic car systems like the ABS (Antilock Braking System) or ASC (Acceleration Skid Control).

Camshaft Sensors

The camshaft sensor is located in the cylinder head and reads the camshaft sprocket to determine its position.

This information is required for functions such as initiating injection on sequential injection engines, the trigger signal for the magnet valve on pump valve injection systems, and for cylinder-specific knock control.
Wh

Crankshaft Sensors

2010-04-21T04:48:00.002-07:00

This sensor used for calculating the crankshaft’s current position, which the engine management system can then use to calculate RPM.

As a result of this, the vehicle and determine the best possible fuel injection and ignition timing, in order to maximise fuel economy.

Knock Sensors

2010-04-21T04:48:00.001-07:00

Modern engines which allow high compression ratios can have a persistent problem of knocking, which can damage the engine over a period of time. Knock sensors therefore are put in place to measure the vibration of the engine block that is characteristic of engine knocking.

This allows the firing angle and other parameters to be set so that the engine can function correctly close to the knock threshold, and it can also help to reduce fuel consumption as a result.

Pressure Sensors

2010-04-21T04:41:00.000-07:00

MAP and T-MAP pressure sensors measure the air pressure in the intake valve manifold behind the throttle valve to determine air intake.

This is needed for calculating the amount of fuel required to ensure the correct air-fuel mix.

To find pressure sensors for your vehicle whatever make or model please use our online search tool to find the latest car parts from our thousands of suppliers in the UK.

Engine Actuators

2010-04-21T04:20:00.000-07:00

To achieve optimum combustion in every cylinder under all load conditions, modern engines are equipped with a range of actuator devices which are under the direct control of engine management system.

One of the key functions of these devices is to maintain a constant idling speed despite varying demands made by the air conditioning or other electrical systems.

However, a number of faults can still occur that may adversely affect the air/fuel mix. Actuator components can become soiled or seized, which short circuits in the ignition coil can undermine performance.

Other potential problems include faulty electromagnetic drive components or a loss of power to individual devices. In each of these cases, it is usually advisable to replace at least one actuator component.

Engine Control Module (ECM)

2010-04-21T04:14:00.000-07:00

Engine Control Module (ECM)

Electrical signals from the fuel and ignition system sensors are received and processed by the electronic circuits in the ECM.

Input signals are received from some or all of the following:

Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor
Intake air temperature (IAT) sensor
Throttle Position (TP) sensor
Vehicle Speed (VSS) sensor
Oxygen sensor (O2S)
Barometric Pressure (BARO) sensor

Outputs from the ECM control some or all of the following:

Injectors – by controlling the length of time each injector valve remains open
Fuel pump relay
Idle speed control system
Evaporative emissions system
Exhaust gas recirculation system
Ignition timing and knock sensing
Intake manifold length

Mazda NEW Hybrid technology

2010-03-29T08:37:00.000-07:00

Mazda has been long known for its efficient and fun-to-drive petrol engines but in the last few years it has also been developing a range of select diesel engines. However at the same time Mazda had little ongoing research in hybrid and electric cars aside from the hydrogen rotary hybrid vehicle.

But a new alliance has been formed with the auto manufacture giant Toyota which will solve where the mystery research will come from. Toyota will license its Hybrid Synergy Drive technology to Mazda. This will form Sky + Hybrid Synergy Drive.

Mazda says it plans to launch a hybrid vehicle in Japan by 2013. Mazda plans on pairing the Toyota technology with Mazda’s own line of fuel efficient Sky engines. The major aim is to raise fuel efficiency by 30% by 2015.

Petrol as efficient as diesel

Mazda's senior vice-president for quality, research and development, Robert Davis, says that the next generation of Sky gasoline engines will offer fuel efficiency equal to today's clean diesels.

He also stated that the new diesels will match the gas mileage of today's hybrid-electric vehicles, which is around 40 miles per gallon or even better in compact and midsize cars.

Better than Toyota

Mazda also claims that after its research and tweaks it expects it can add to Toyota’s Hybrid system to make them even more fuel efficient and achieve greater gains than Toyota itself.

That means Mazda believes it can add Toyota's hybrid system to far more efficient engines and get even greater gains than Toyota itself is showing today in its own hybrids.

One way it will do this is by making its vehicles lighter yet retaining safety as a crucial component in vehicle design.

Toyota has built and sold more than 2.3 million hybrid-electric vehicles globally since 1997, which represents two-thirds of total hybrid production. Its 2010 Toyota Prius is the third generation of the world's best-known hybrid car; it has sold more than 1.6 million Priuses.

Mazda has already ventured into Hybrid before

Mazda currently sells one hybrid model already in the U.S. market. It's the 2010 Mazda Tribute, which is a slightly redesigned version of its Ford counterpart, the Ford Escape. However after Mazda launched its CX-7 and CX-9 crossovers, the Tribute lost importance.

The Mazda Tribute sales are small to say the least in the US market, in addition few automotive writers have reviewed the vehicle. But, it's the only hybrid vehicle that Mazda currently provides which is why Mazda now looks to increase its global offerings for Hybrid technology starting in the 2014 model year.

Turbos or Superchargers

2010-03-22T08:14:00.000-07:00

Turbo’s and superchargers are glorified air compressors that create ‘forced induction’ to achieve what we all want and crave....more power!

Companies such as Nissan, GM, and Jaguar regularly utilise supercharger technology across their range of vehicles. Superchargers are belt, gear, shaft or chain driven chargers that force induct air into the air manifold before combustion. The greater force of cooler air increases the horsepower of the vehicle. There are quite a few different types of supercharger available but they are all driven by the car’s engine.

With regards to turbo’s, Garrett turbo, Holset turbo, and Borg Warner turbo are at the forefront of turbocharger technology. A turbo does the same job as the supercharger – force more air into the car’s engine to make more power. However, a turbo uses a turbine and is NOT connected to the crankshaft. Instead of the engine, the turbo gets driven by the car’s exhaust gases.

There are both advantages and disadvantages with both compressors. A supercharger produces less efficiency i.e. more fuel to power it. However with a turbo efficiency isn’t affected due to being driven via exhaust gasses. But in addition turbo lag can be difficult to compensate without damaging engine internals. A supercharger delivers consistent power, whereas turbo has to wait before it ‘kicks in’.

It is important to note advances in both supercharger and turbo technologies are making great progress. Newer turbo’s have all but eliminated turbo lag depending on its requirements. In addition there are equally highly efficient superchargers currently on the market as well.

The First Google Android Car

2010-03-22T05:30:00.000-07:00

Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) has announced it is now in production of a range of vehicles equipped with Google’s Android mobile operating system. The vehicle will be known as the Roewe 350 and it will be launched at the Beijing Auto Show in the coming months.

Roewe vehicles are a range of luxury cars which utilise technology purchased from British company MG Rover, owned by BMW in the past.

The Google OS version 2.1 is the same that Google has used in the Nexus One and Motorola Droid mobile phones. The software is installed in the vehicles GPS computer which will give the driver directions and up to date traffic reports just as you can with many other navigation devices.

But where the Android system sets itself apart is its ability to surf the web and engage in some form of internet chatting/social networking. There’s no news yet as to which network the OS will utilise. There is also limited information as to whether or not users can install third party apps from the Android market yet. We also don’t know how the device will connect to the internet. But still all very exciting news so far.

Estimated cost of the car will be between $10, 000 and $19,000. We will keep you posted with the latest updates about this new vehicle and as parts become available in the years to come will maintain our ability to provide car spares and parts.

Software used by our engineers

2010-03-08T06:56:00.000-08:00

Advanced vehicle technology is rapidly becoming the standard for most modern cars. This creates pressure for vehicle technicians and service centres to work quickly, accurately and effectively on a regular basis. They must diagnose and fix problems for a wide variety of sensors and electrical systems for an even wider variety of vehicles.

For example there are over 10 million, and climbing, cars on the UK roads with petrol injection or engine management systems.

The more sophisticated engines become the more sophisticated test equipment is required to diagnose faults and system failures. Ineffective diagnostic work leads to future vehicle problems, dissatisfied customers and extorsionate labour costs.

Bosch ESI[tronic] is a series of DVDs that contain a wide variety of technical data for all aspects of the trade. Features of the software include work and circuit diagrams for systems such as Engine Management and CAS (Crankshaft/Camshaft Angle Sensors), as well as service bulletins and known fault codes:

http://www.boschautoparts.co.uk/teMain.asp?c=2&d=2

At Car Parts Euro, our engineers use the Bosch software platform to quickly and effeciently diagnose fault codes in ECU's and sensors; which means they are able to provide a better service in re-furbishing and re-building any vehicle components. The products and services offered are superior due to the ability to accurately diagnose the cause of the error.

Ford and Mazda separate

2010-03-08T06:28:00.000-08:00

Since 1979 Ford has owned a significant share of Mazda, growing in 1997 to a 33.4% controlling stake. As such, the two automakers have historically shared a significant amount of car parts – a system that has helped both companies remain competitive in the increasingly tough automotive market.

At present, the Ford Fiesta, Focus and Fusion sedan all borrow unseen parts and resources from Mazda, and the Japanese automanufacture offers its own versions of the Ford's compact and midsize platforms.

Lately, though, it seems Ford and Mazda have been seeing less and less of each other. About a year ago, Ford sold off 20% of its stake in the Japanese company, and while it's likely the two automakers will continue to enjoy cooperation in some capacity, Bloomberg is reporting that product sharing may very well be diminished in the near future.

Recycled Car Parts

2010-03-04T03:42:00.000-08:00

Generally most customers looking for replacement car parts insist on genuine vehicle manufacture parts rather than those manufactured by third parties. Aftermarket and replica items simply don’t have as much demand as genuine replacement parts. This gives a very clear message to used car parts suppliers, such as Car Parts Euro that refurbished, restored and recycled car parts are in higher demand.

This is also in parallel with the global requirements for a ‘greener environment’ which is consistently pressurising for better performance in components, cleaner emissions and recycling of car parts and vehicles. The UK Scrappage scheme was one aspect of tackling, head on, the issues of environmental pollution and providing the industry with access to a wealth of recycled car parts.

The demand for parts is so high which makes supply a real challenge for the UK vehicle dismantler industry. In order to maintain a steady supply of high quality, usable used car parts car breakers must be pro active in breaking vehicles and accessing the relevant networks for supply.

“Around 75% of the scrap and parts from old cars are recycled, while the remaining parts usually end up in landfill sites.” With thousands of suppliers in the UK it can be confusing for consumers to find the right car parts at the right price. This is why Car Parts Euro provides and exclusive car part search service which instantly sends requests to the primary industry suppliers. Users receive the quotes, and can select which supplier they would like to purchase from.

Using Car Parts Euro you can place a request and receive multiple results all within a few simple clicks...it’s as easy as 1...2...3....literally! Why not try it out today? Visit: www.carpartseuro.com

How to clean your throttle body

2010-02-15T04:42:00.000-08:00

Overview
If you've noticed a rough idle, stumbling initial acceleration or even stalling - all when the engine is fully warmed up - a dirty throttle body could be the culprit. Fortunately cleaning your throttle body is not the hardest of jobs to do to make your vehicle perform better and increase driveability. Once you look inside a throttle body, you will probably be surprised at the dirt, gum and varnish that have accumulated there over time.

Setup
Park your vehicle outside in a well-lighted, level area. Because the throttle-body cleaners are volatile, it is not recommended doing this job indoors.

Locate the throttle body under the hood in the engine compartment. Here are some hints on what to look for:

The throttle body is located between the air filter assembly and the intake manifold of the engine.
Most throttle bodies are made of aluminium and will most likely have a few vacuum tubes coming from it.
The throttle body is connected to the accelerator pedal via a linkage cable which moves the opens the throttle butterfly when the pedal is depressed. The vacuum generated within the manifold draws in the cool air through the air filter assembly when the butterfly opens.
Usually the throttle body is bolted to the manifold but it could well be attached by fastners and can be easily removed using a Philips or flathead screwdriver.

Any sensors i.e. TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) which helps calculate how much fuel to inject on injection engines can be disconnected from the plug, but be careful. There is no need to remove the sensor or wiring completely.

Remember when working on your vehicle to wear the appropriate safety equipment from goggles to gloves, it also advised not to smoke whilst working in the engine bay.

The Job
Ensure you have plenty of space to work on the vehicle and that the engine is switched off. Disconnect the negative terminal from the battery.

Disconnect any hoses or cables linking to the throttle body. Make a note where these hoses and cables come from for when it comes to re-installing. You can either use masking tape and mark each hose and coupling, or buy specific labelling tape that helps you remember which hose goes with which nozzle/coupling.

Remove the air duct that attaches to the throttle body. Sometimes the air duct is pressed into place, and can be removed with some gentle twist and pull movements.

Remove just enough air ducting to expose the throttle body. Be careful not to damage any gaskets that may be present.

At this point you can either simply spray the throttle body cleaner inside the air duct and use an old toothbrush to dislodge the dirt and grime or you can completely unbolt and remove the throttle body for a deeper clean. If you just spray the throttle body be careful not to lose anything like the plastic nozzle or brush into the throttle body opening. Wipe any excessive residue and repeat this process until all the interior surfaces are clean to bare metal.

Before replacing all the components swab a little bit of household oil to lubricate the throttle body shafts and protect them for the future. Don’t overdo it; just a small drop is enough.

Reattach all of the components and reconnect the battery ensuring to clean any residue that may still be left behind. Now you can start the engine. You may notice an initial stumble or even an initial rough idle as the cleaner fluid and residue that may have entered the intake manifold is burned off. The ECU will also most likely need to re-calibrate itself.

Let the engine idle for a minute or two. Then take your vehicle for a test drive. Depending upon the amount of dirt, gum and varnish that was in your vehicle's throttle body, you may or may not notice a difference in drivability and performance, but remember - this is a preventative maintenance effort to improve the long-term reliability of your vehicle.

Cleanup
Clean and return all of your wrenches and other tools. Properly dispose of the used paper towels and rubber gloves. Store the remaining throttle-body cleaner for another day.

For all your car parts and supplies for maintaining or repairing your vehicle visit www.carpartseuro.com

Subaru Impreza Cosworth One-off Impreza

2010-02-11T08:09:00.000-08:00

One-off Impreza aims to deliver best all-wheel-drive performance package to date.

It’s a one-two punch that packs pure performance. In a special one-off collaboration, Subaru UK has teamed up with legendary engine manufacturer Cosworth to produce the ultimate Impreza STi.

And it’s not just performance and power that has been improved, handling and styling have also been worked on, resulting in a car that Subaru claims will set a new standard for all-wheel-drive hot-hatches.

Exact details about the Impreza STi Cosworth’s performance figures and cost are still unconfirmed but all will be revealed closer to the vehicle’s March on-sale date.

Bosch confirms car parts plant closure

2010-02-11T07:50:00.000-08:00

German manufacturer Bosch today confirmed it is pressing ahead with plans to close a car parts factory in Britain that employs 900 people.

The company said its board agreed to close the plant in Miskin, near Cardiff, by the middle of next year.

Consultation on phasing out production and agreeing redundancy terms will continue until the end of the month with the plant council, unions and the plant management.

The division in charge of the factory, which makes alternators for the motor industry, recommended last month that production be transferred to Hungary and then phased out.

Sales fell by 45% between 2008 and 2009 and were expected to drop a further 65% this year.

Final confirmation of the closure comes despite the offer of help from the Welsh Assembly Government.

First Minister Carwyn Jones and Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones discussed the prospects for saving jobs with company bosses in Stuttgart on Monday.

In a statement, Bosch said: “The Bosch Group is currently facing the worst economic downturn for many decades and has been especially hit in the automotive sector.

“In parallel to this, the automotive industry is undergoing major change as core technologies are being completely transformed to accommodate demand for smaller, more fuel-efficient and less polluting vehicles.

“All this has left its mark on the Bosch Group in 2009, which will show a negative operating result for the first time in 60 years.”

Bosch said it agreed with Welsh ministers to look at training to help laid-off workers find new work, potential future uses of the site and the possibility of suppliers delivering to other parts of the group.

The Assembly Government said a series of proposals for help – including developing new product lines and retaining research and development in Wales - were declined by the company.

The First Minister said: “All the way through this process we have pledged our full support to the employees of Bosch.

“This disappointing news is a devastating blow to them and their families.”

He and the Deputy First Minister travelled to Germany to urge the company to keep producing at Miskin, he added.

“While they welcomed the meeting, they indicated their intention to close the site despite us once again offering Assembly Government support.

“We will now work with the company and unions to see what on-site training we can provide for the staff.

“Our objective now is to help those who may be made redundant and see what we can do to support them develop their skills and find new work.

“We will also work with the Welsh supply chain companies as there is the possibility they can continue supplying Bosch despite the Miskin site being closed.”

Deputy First Minister Mr Jones said the coalition administration had done all it could to keep the plant open.

“We have met regularly with Bosch, including this week in Germany, and have been working closely with them over the last few months to look at all the options available to keep the plant running and develop new product lines,” he said.

“So far all of our proposals have been declined and it is unfortunate that they are going ahead with their plans.

“We will now work tirelessly to help the workers and their families through this worrying time.”

600 jobs hope with car parts firm at Swansea

2010-01-25T03:05:00.000-08:00

A Japanese car parts firm is putting together a deal which could bring up to 600 jobs to Wales, it is understood.

Toyoda Gosei, a resin and rubber parts maker in the Toyota group of companies, is expected to invest in the former Valeo plant in Gorseinon, Swansea.

It is understood talks have been under way for about 18 months, although details have been leaked prematurely.

It comes a week after it was announced that 900 jobs are to go at the Bosch car parts plant, Vale of Glamorgan.

The French-owned Valeo plant in Gorseinon made car parts and closed in 2001 with the loss of 330 jobs.

It made air conditioning units for the automotive industry.

The property was occupied by Amazon in 2007/08 for a year while they built the distribution centre at Fabian Way.

This is good news for the automotive industry especially during the recession as auto manufactures have already been hit fairly hard and part surviving of the scrappages schemes.