1966 Mustang Gas Cap on 2040-parts.com

Cost of garage labour falling

THE AVERAGE labour rate at both franchised and non-franchised garages has fallen compared to 2012, according to new figures. An annual survey of 12,000 cases conducted on behalf of Warranty Direct has concluded that the average labour rate in 2013 is £74.70, a fall of 9.84% from £82.86 in 2012. Less encouraging is the overall trend of rising labour rates, with the average having increased by 33% over the last ten years.

Citroen DS 5LS (2014) first official pictures

By Damion Smy First Official Pictures 19 December 2013 17:30 The Citroen DS 5LS has been shown in Paris to a group of Chinese media, as the brand pushes its ‘Frenchness’ with a C-segment saloon for the world’s biggest market. The 5LS is the result of Citroen’s splitting of its model line-up into two channels: it’s ‘C’ badged cars for more everyday, price-driven offerings and its more premium, design-centric DS models, which have formed a ‘fully fledged brand’ in China. The 5LS is worth a look for UK enthusiasts as ‘a major driver of the DS’s ongoing international development’.

UK 2012 car sales analysis: winners and losers

New UK car registrations in 2012 rose to a four-year high, figures released today confirm. Sales jumped 5.3% in the Olympic year compared with 2011 – to 2,044,609 new cars, the largest percentage increase since 2001. Retail sales drove the demand in 2012, growing 12.9% on the previous year.