2009 Saab 9-5 on 2040-parts.com

So Cube ads aren't square, Nissan hires college kids

To bring college students into Nissan dealerships to look at the quirky new Cube, Nissan North America has asked for a little help--from college students. Nissan has retained marketing classes at 10 large U.S. universities to create ad campaigns that will run on their campuses this spring.

Used car sales return to pre-recession levels

USED CAR SALES reached 7.1 million units in 2012, on a par with pre-recession levels and a climb of 6.4%, according to a comprehensive market report. The 2013 BCA Report by British Car Auctions valued the used car market a £38.1 billion in 2012, putting it £5.8 billion ahead of the new car market over the same period. In particular sales of younger used cars (0-2 years) increased significantly, rising by 18.6% to 762,000 and reversing a three year trend of falling volumes in this age sector.

Next Mazda MX-5/Alfa Romeo roadster engines?

The last manual-transmission diesel convertible we drove was the Volkswagen Beetle. It was a fine little cruiser -- “joyful” is a word we bandied about a lot. But a diesel Miata?