Review of Nengun Performance

The following is a paid review of the Nengun Performance website. Nengun Performance is an online reseller of after market auto performance parts. According to the information provided on the site, the company was originally from Australia but currently operating directly from Japan since April 2000.

I assume that their tagline is "the wholesale performance parts supplier on the Internet." They claim that they are able to offer really low prices on the parts because they buy in bulk from the Japanese performance parts companies with which they have direct contact.

First impression. Looking at the design of the site, I have to admit that there is an overall amateurish feel to it. Maybe it has to do with the Color Scheme. The color scheme of the site doesn't really appeal to me. Probably due to the fact that I am not a fan of sites with black backgrounds. From my experience I have found out that clean designs with white backgrounds are best for e-commerce sites. Not very exciting but it's safer.


I noticed that they have different logos on different pages and it changes everytime you reload the page. If they are interested in building a brand identity, having a unique and uniform logo should be the first step. I liked this particular logo, which I have shown here.

Moving to more serious matters, E-commerce is all about trust and I have to say that going through the site doesn't really give me that feeling of security. The first thing I look for on every e-commerce site, are their security and privacy notices. Unfortunately, the Nengun Performance site doesn't have one.

The "About page" is also not detailed enough. There are no names or contact addresses. Customers like to know who they are dealing with. The fact that there are spelling mistakes on the page doesn't help either.

In their FAQ, it is mentioned that they accept the following payment methods:
· International Direct Deposit
· Australian Direct Deposit (Westpac) and
· Paypal

However, I noticed that they do accept credit cards too. It would really boost the customer's confidence if the company provides some short of assurance that all important information (such as credit card details) sent to this site, is encrypted and is protected against disclosure to third parties.

So what did I like about the site?

I was drooling just looking at some of the products. They have an impressive collection of parts of well known brands (includes HKS, Apexi, Greddy, Mugen, Spoon, TRD and Nismo)for customers to choose from. Some of my more knowledgeable friends confirm, the prices are indeed wholesale. They also have a photo album that visitors to the site can view even without registering.

However, the question remains whether customers would be impressed enough or trust them to buy their products online.

Aston Martin back in the hands of Britishers

A lot of Britishers will be happy today.

Ford Motor has agreed to sell controlling stake in Aston Martin, the luxury marque made famous by James Bond, to a U.K. led consortium headed by Dave Richards for £479 million (US$924 million). Read the official press release here. This is part of Ford's restructuring plan.

It's not totally in British hands, as the Consortium is backed by Kuwaiti investors, namely Investment Dar and Adeem Investment. Also Ford still retains a £40 million (US$77 million) stake (approx. 13% of its value) in the Warwickshire based company.

Related link:
- Aston Martin 'has great future'
- British Reclaim Aston Martin

Honda Civic forums

The Honda Civic was introduced to the US (and the World) by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. of Japan in July 1972. This first model was a 2 door coupe. They introduced the now famous Civic CVCC (Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion) in 1974. This particular model became famous for its fuel efficiency and low emissions.

The Honda Civic became renowned for it's reliability. Another reason (related to the first) the Honda Civic is so popular is it's resale value. The depreciation of this car is very low as compared to other brands in the similar category. Finally, it has become really popular for modification and customization and a community of owners and enthusiasts of modified Civics have developed.

How did I know all of this? Well, a lot of the info came from the Honda website, Wikipedia and honda civics forums. If you are owner of a Civic (any generations) or simply a fan, join Civicforums.com to read all about the latest updates of this great car and also to share ideas with like-minded people. This forum is the largest Honda Civic forums online. It is also a great place to go if you are planning to buy the car.

Going through the forum, I realise that they have categories for each and every type of Honda Civic generation right from the first to the latest (the 8th generation).

The generations are as follows:

- First generation (1973-1979)
- Second generation (1980-1983)
- Third generation (1984-1987)
- Fourth generation (1988-1991)
- Fifth generation (1992-1995)
- Sixth generation (1996-2000)
- Seventh generation (2001-2005)
- Eighth generation (2006 to present)

The forum has loads of pictures of this car too. Check them out here. You don't even need to be a member to view them.


The latest Honda Civic, The Civic Si coupe, debuted last year and has sold in record numbers and have received awards as well. It received the North American Car of the Year and Motor Trend Car of the Year awards for 2006. With fuel prices on the increase and prices of hybrids out of my reach, this fuel efficient car is my choice.

Mitsubishi unveils Outlander and Prototype-x

Mitsubishi finally unveils the Motors European market Outlander SUV and Prototype-X 77th Geneva International Motor Show. Read my previous post here.

The company is displaying a total of 10 exhibits (16 during the general public session) at the show which runs from March 6 through 18 at the Geneva Palexpo exhibition and conference complex. It opens to the general public on March 8.

So what's different about the European market Outlander?

For a start, the on-road SUV comes with a choice of three engines : 2.0-liter turbo-diesel, a 2.2-liter turbo-diesel and a 2.4-liter Mitsubishi Innovative Valve lift and timing Electronic Control (MIVEC). Mitsubishi Motors' own variable valve lift (VVL) system.

It has the split tailgate and auto-folding function for the second row seats and Hide&Seat™" retractable third row.

It also includes a new front grille with the 3-diamond logo mounted on a Mt Fuji-motif plinth (Mitsubishi brand design identity in the European market), as well as Euro-specific chassis tuning.

With the European launch, the Outlander is now on sale in all the world's major auto markets.

As for the Prototype-X concept. It is a design study for the new Lancer Evolution due to be launched during the 2007 fiscal year.

Mechanical features include, Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control, the Vehicle dynamics system that integrates control of drive torque, braking, steering and suspension at all four wheels (S-AWC) built around a 4WD driveline; a new aluminum block MIVEC turbocharged engine mated to a high-performance six-speed automated manual transmission; and the use of aluminum in some body panels to reduce body weight.

Source of contaminated fuel

If you recall, I wrote a post on contaminated petrol in the UK on Friday, March 02. Well they have finally found out that there was indeed a contamination. It sounds stupid but silicon meant for diesel fuel was added into the unleaded petrol. This occurred in four tanks at a terminal in West Thurrock, east of London, owned by Dutch company Vopak. Harvest Energy shares the facilities with Greenergy, which supplies both Tesco and Morrisons. Asda buys fuel from Harvest Energy.

The problem arose because when the unleaded petrol containing silicon burned, it formed a thin layer of silicon-dioxide on the sensor, which controlled the fuel - air mix. I can see that the immediate result is an increase in the fuel prices overnight.

Latest Euro NCAP test results

Here are the latest Euro NCAP test results of five cars: the Fiat Bravo, the Honda CR-V, the Honda Legend, the Mitsubishi Outlander and the Toyota Corolla.


SMALL FAMILY

Fiat Bravo
Occupant Protection: 5 stars
Child Protection: 3 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 2 stars


Toyota Corolla
Occupant Protection: 5 stars
Child Protection: 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 3 stars

SMALL OFF-ROADER

Honda CR-V
Occupant Protection: 4 stars
Child Protection: 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 2 stars

Mitsubishi Outlander
Occupant Protection: 4 stars
Child Protection: 3 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 2 stars

EXECUTIVE

Honda Legend
Occupant Protection: 5 stars
Child Protection: 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 3 stars

Tags: Euro NCAP Safety Tests

Petrol contamination in UK

Surprised to hear over the news today that contaminated fuel has affected thousands of cars in the UK - mostly in London and parts of east and south-east England.

Most of the blame has been directed at supermarkets that sell petrol. Both Tesco and Morrisons have said that their tests indicate that there is nothing wrong with their oil.

Of course it's the oil. Hundreds of drivers cannot be lying?

Asda also reported that they received several complaints.

It seems that most of the vehicles affected are those from the higher end with fuel management systems. These high tech equipment compose of sensors that are attached to the exhaust and they determine the oxygen and petrol mix supplied to the engine.

Most of the complainants say that their cars suffered from power loss and misfiring.

Several workshops have run out of replacement parts and costs range from a few hundred pounds and more than £1000 for a few.

I filled up at Tesco last week and fortunately our car is OK.

Tags: Asds Morrison Petrol Tesco