06 07 Hyundai Sonata Automatic Transmission 2.4l 1150992 on 2040-parts.com

Why Aston Martins use Volvo keys

By Nick Gibbs Motoring Issues 29 October 2008 14:03 Did you know that Aston Martins use Volvo keys? We should hardly be surprised, since we all know that Astons dip into the expansive Ford parts bin for everything from sat-navs to switchgear. But you’d expect them to at least go to some lengths to remove the original badging.

All used up: Pre-owned sales rise as consumers seek new-car alternatives

Used-car sales took a leap upward in April, and the trend is expected to continue at least until midyear as pent-up demand for affordable pre-owned vehicles jacks up at least one segment of the car marketplace. Sales of new cars continued an unabated slide toward what analysts say is a 30-year low in the United States, but used-car sales showed strength as buyers unable to finance new cars shifted their sights to less expensive used models. As a result, retailers such as the large Penske Automotive Group reported that despite an overall decline in sales in the first three months of 2009, improving used-car sales kept them in the black.

Audi A1 1.4 TFSI (2010) first picture

This new Audi A1 might have a long and convoluted name – it's the A1 1.4 TFSI (136 kW) – but it's not an Audi S1 by another name. While everyone has been expecting a hot version of the A1 to be unveiled at next week's Paris motor show (and this is it), it's not dubbed S1 because there's an even hotter version of the A1 still to come. Meanwhile, this first tuned and tweaked version of the A1 uses the same engine as the VW Polo GTI, Skoda Fabia vRS and Seat Ibiza Cupra.