1989-98 Geo Tracker Suzuki Rear Side Marker Lights on 2040-parts.com

New 2015 Mazda2 arrives

This is the new 2015 Mazda2 (Demio) The new Mazda2 was all but revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March in the guise of the Mazda Hazumi Concept, but now the real new Mazda2 has arrived, or at least it has in Japan. But Mazda are captioning the photos – which are clearly of the Demio – as the Mazda2, so we can be pretty sure not much is going to change when the Demio gets the Mazda2 badge in the UK and Europe. That means the same Kodo design language Mazda has introduced across its range recently with a shield grill flowing in to the headlights, big wheel arches and horizontal lights at the back – all very much like the Hazumi.

Now the Germans say no to Volvo

As we’ve reported in the last few weeks, Ford has been trying its best to offload Volvo, the last of its ‘Prestige’ Euro marques. The Chinese looked to be the best bet, but it seems that that is going nowhere at the moment (the Chinese are probably waiting for Ford to get in to an even deeper mess with the hope of picking up Volvo for peanuts) and now its seems that Ford’s fire-sale has drawn more blanks. Now the Germans turn down the chance to own Volvo Der Spiegel reports that Daimler (Mercedes-Benz) boss Dieter Zetsche has revealed that Daimler has turned down the chance to buy Volvo, and has also revealed that BMW has had a good look, and reached the same decision.

Lotus announces partnership with Mansory

Group Lotus has announced its new collaboration with Mansory, which will become its official customization studio. The German tuner will be contributing bodywork, trim and special finishes for the Elise, Exige and Evora in yet another controversial strategic decision for the UK company. Lotus confirmed the first fruits of this new partnership will be the unveiling a new model variant at September's Paris motor show, two years after the highly ambitious announcement of five new models of which the first is yet to become reality.