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Crunch watch August 09: the auto industry

By Tim Pollard, Alex Michaelides, Ben Pulman and Freddie Fulton Motor Industry 31 August 2009 10:00 Welcome to CAR's news aggregator as we round up the seismic change in the auto industry. Top tip: news summaries are added from the top hour-by-hour  Monday 31 August 2009• Bank holiday today in UK; staff on a well earned break from Crunchwatch!Friday 28 August 2009• Toyota will stop producing vehicles at the New United Moor Manufacturing plant in California next March. Company officials and California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced the decision, which comes in the wake of factory partner GM’s announced that it would abandon the venture back in June (Detroit News)• Tengzhong may finalise its deal to buy Hummer from GM next week, well placed sources told AN (Automotive News, subscription required)• German economics minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg says it is 'hardly realistic' for GM to keep hold of its European outfit Opel and Vauxhall (Automotive News Europe, subscription required)• Ford's US cop car favourite, the Crown Victoria, is going to cease production in 2011 (Detroit News)Thursday 27 August 2009• Nissan and Chrysler have abandoned plans to build cars for each other in the wake of Chrysler’s alliance with Fiat.

Alfa Romeo Mito TCT (2011) comes to the UK

Alfa Romeo's first twin-cluch gearbox is launching in the Mito - and the Mito TCT is now available in the UK. The MultiAir 1.4 is the launch engine for the TCT twin dry clutch transmission. Typically for Alfa, it's technically interesting: Alfa claims it enhances performance and comfort, gives a sportier feel and more importantly in the current climate, reduces CO2 emissions.

Used car values look strong for 2014

THE VALUE OF USED cars is set to stay strong in 2014 following a rise in values this year, according to the latest analysis of the market. The latest report by British Car Auctions shows that compared to last year, new-to-market car values are around 15% higher than this time last year while older part-exchange cars are as much as 20% higher than a year ago. Simon Henstock, BCA’s UK Operations Director commented “We have seen an upturn in the supply of dealer part-exchanges in 2013, reflecting reports that retail sales have been strong.