07 Yamaha Rhino 660 Battery Box Lid on 2040-parts.com

Cash for clunkers plan revives trade fight

Import brand automakers and dealers warned on Thursday that a vehicle scrappage proposal before the Senate would violate trade agreements and could weaken the economy. The Senate could vote on the plan on Thursday, which would offer $10,000 to any moderate- or low-income consumer who trades in a car or truck that is at least 10 years old and buys a new one that is more fuel-efficient and "assembled in the United States." The trade-ins would be scrapped rather than resold. The U.S.-made mandate "smacks of the protectionism that led to the Great Depression," said Barbara Nocera, the top Washington lobbyist for Mazda North American Operations.

VW boss Bernhard quits

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 12 January 2007 09:57 Volkswagen boss Wolfgang Bernhard has quit the company as part of a shake-up at Europe's biggest car maker. The news comes as little surprise after months of uncertainty and change at the top of VW. Bernhard built a reputation as an abrasive operator in his short stint as CEO of the Wolfsburg company and had numerous confrontations with unions as he pushed through more modern working practices.

Top Gear Series 21: The tease begins, but when does the new series of Top Gear start?

Top Gear Series 21 – the tease begins (video below) The new series of Top Gear – Series 21 – is due to start some time soon, although exactly when is still a little in doubt as the BBC are staying tight-lipped. That said, they have released the first – very short – tease video (below) for the new series with Jeremy Clarkson sitting in what looks like a VW up! moaning about the number of lorries he’s encountering.