1974 Monte Carlo Wiper Switch on 2040-parts.com

UK car production down 20%

CAR PRODUCTION slowed a little last month, according to official figures. A total of 133,730 cars were made in the UK in February - 2.7% fewer than in February 2013, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said. Cars made for the export market rose 3.5% last month, but manufacturing for the home market was down 20.8%.

BMW X1 gets updated for 2014

The 2014 BMW X1 (pictured) gets a tweaked front end The BMW X1 arrived back in 2009 as a high-riding Sports Activity Vehicle (BMW’s preferred description for their compact SUV come crossover) and had a bit of a facelift for 2012 to keep it fresh. Now, two years on from the last facelift, BMW has decided they need to up the ante a little (especially with more competition arriving in the shape of the new Mercedes GLA) so the BMW X1 is getting a mild makeover for 2014. The only real changes you’ll notice are tweaks to the front end of the X1 with new accents on the bumper and a bigger air intake, daytime running lights across the X1 range, new 17″ alloys and the availability of Sparkling Brown metallic to the paint colour options.

Kia Carens MPV (2012) first official pictures

Kia has taken its compact family wagon, the Carens back to the drawing board with the release of the all-new 2012 model, bringing it up-to-date with Kia’s current design direction.   The Carens is the last model in Kia’s line up to receive the ‘tiger nose’ facelift under the direction of chief designer Peter Schreyer, best known for designing the Mk 1 Audi TT.   The revised Carens takes on a sharper, more ‘athletic’ shape than the former chunkier model, offering a more practical, cab-forward take on the sportier looking new Ceed on which it is based.