Author Archive for Jason Lancaster
Jason Lancaster is the editor and founder of TundraHeadquarters.com. He has nearly a decade of experience on the retail side of the auto industry, and another decade of experience of the part and accessory side of the industry.
A Screen For Your Truck’s Rear Window
Sometimes the aftermarket comes up with an idea for vehicle customization that is so popular it eventually becomes adopted by automakers as an option right from the factory. Sliding rear pickup truck windows are a perfect example. A simple concept that took a long time to be adopted across the entire industry, sliding rear windows are a great way to bring cool and refreshing air into a pickup’s passenger compartment. They can also be left open on a hot day to help keep internal temperatures down, or opened during a rainstorm while driving to help ventilate your truck without getting you wet.
At the right speed, opening your rear window is like turning a leaf-blower loose on your truck's interior.
But you already knew that. This is the part where you say “Ya ya sliders are great, but what about when they empty the contents of my pickup bed into my lap?“
Toyota and Aston Martin Partnership Opportunities
In an effort to meet European fuel economy and emissions standards, world-renowned Aston Martin is going to produce a high MPG mini-car called the Cygnet City Car. In order to preserve exclusivity, this vehicle will only be available to current Aston Martin owners.
Seeing as how Aston Martin isn’t in the mini-car business, they approached Toyota about re-badging the Toyota iQ.
The next Aston Martin. Seriously.
OK – so it’s likely a little more than a “re-badging.” Aston Martin is going to put their own personal touch on the iQ with interior and exterior refinements. However, they’re likely going to leave the powertrain intact in order to preserve the fuel economy rating of the iQ and the boost that will bring to Aston’s fleet.
Since Aston and Toyota aren’t natural competitors, and since Toyota is always interested in selling more vehicles, this partnership makes some sense. While there are some branding concerns on Aston’s side (some call it an abomination), it seems like a simple and logical way to help Aston’s fleet meet fuel economy and emissions regulations.
So, are there any other Toyota – Aston Martin partnerships worth considering?
Toyota Not Likely To Shutdown NUMMI
Last Friday Toyota announced that they may have to abandon NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing Inc.). A car plant in Northern California, NUMMI opened in 1984 and is jointly operated by GM and Toyota…or at least it was up until last Friday.
Toyota’s decision to make this announcement on Friday the 10th coincides with the “new” GM’s emergence from bankruptcy . While it’s a little complicated, here’s why that timing is relevant:
- As part of GM’s bankruptcy plan, a “new” GM was formed. The new GM got all the good, profitable assets.
- The “old” GM retains all the unprofitable assets.
- All the assets of the old GM will be liquidated over the next year or two.
- NUMMI is part of the old GM.
In other words, now that GM has officially abandoned NUMMI, Toyota is considering the same action…and who can blame them? A case can definitely be made:
Wet Okole Truck Seat Covers
Let’s face it – over the lifetime of your truck, chances are good that you’ll damage your seats. A lot of this is going to be unintentional – the occasional dropped cup of coffee, the mud during a surprise rain storm, or even the inevitable wear and tear on seat bolsters from climbing in and out of your truck. Of course, there is also the natural dirt and debris that finds it’s way into your truck as a normal consequence of not living in an hermetically-sealed bubble. This is doubly true if you introduce kids into the equation.
The tried and true solution to dealing with worn seats (or protecting new seats) is to install seat covers. For a large number of drivers, mention of the term “seat covers” evokes images of cheesy Hawaiian flower designs or ugly brown furry jobs held on with elastics that snake across the back of the seat. While those options might have been unavoidable in the 1970’s, modern seat covers have benefited from a quantum leap in both style and design.
Premium truck seat covers from Wet Okole are like wet suits for your seats.
In fact, seat covers aren’t just for covering up past mistakes anymore, they are also capable of protecting your seats from damage before it happens. Wet Okole seat covers are a perfect example of a premium-quality seat cover.
Electric Pickup Truck Conversion Links
Are you thinking about doing your own electric truck conversion? Are you interested in learning more about electric truck conversions in general? How about some links?
Tim Nolan’s Electric Truck Conversion Project – A very cool website created by Tim Nolan, a full-time electrical engineer and a part-time electric vehicle conversion hobbyist.
Be sure to visit Tim's website where we found this image.
Mark Hazen’s Electric S-10. The story behind converting a 1996 Chevy S10 to run on electricity only.
