2003 Audi A6 81800 Miles Automatic Transmission Turbo 2511660 on 2040-parts.com

Crunch watch Feb 09: the auto industry in crisis

By Tim Pollard, Ben Pulman and Ben Whitworth Motor Industry 02 March 2009 18:11 Monday 2 March• The Volkswagen Group announces a 5% rise in sales revenues in the 2008 tax year and a 3% increase in operating profits, up to €6.3 billion. Chairman Martin Winterkorn said the group's multi-brand strategy and low CO2 cars had helped sustain sales, although he admitted that 2009 would see a fall in demand and revenues (Volkswagen) Friday 27 February• Jaguar Land Rover announces a significant order for 13,000 cars from a Chinese business. It's a morale boost for JLR which has been hit by a slump in demand with the global slowdown (BBC News)• Opel this afternoon agreed to a restructuring plan designed to save as many jobs and factories as possible – but it needs a €3.3 billion lifeline from the state.

Avoid being bumper-to-bumper this Memorial Day weekend

Nothing burns gasoline better--or in more irritating fashion--than getting caught in stop-and-go traffic. And this is The Weekend to take to the road. There are the 32.1 million Americans traveling over the holiday, and 87 percent are driving, according to AAA.

Disney and Pixar announce 'Cars 3'

Variety is reporting that Pixar will introduce a third chapter to the "Cars" franchise, the company's second trilogy behind "Toy Story." It will join a long-awaited sequel to "The Incredibles," written by Brad Bird, a sequel to "Finding Nemo," and a sequel to "Planes" called "Planes: Fire and Rescue." That one will come out this year, on July 18. The first "Cars" was something magical, a love letter from car guy John Lasseter to the insular world of car enthusiasts. The second "Cars" sold over $2 billion in merchandise and was a massive commercial success.