2010 Mustang Gt Front Sway Bar 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.

Early-build Ford GTs to cross the block at summer auctions

Their ancestors triumphed at Le Mans, and now two of the modern versions of the Ford GT are aiming for lofty finishes at summer auctions. The sixth and seventh Ford GTs built will cross the block at the Meadow Brook and Pebble Beach concours. And these are rare cars.

Volkswagen Passat drops United States model when new sedan debuts

Volkswagen probably will drop the Passat sedan and wagon in 2011 when VW's new U.S.-built mid-sized four-door is expected to go on sale. "We are looking at it in detail," Stefan Jacoby, VW Group of America CEO, said this month at a press event here. The U.S.-built sedan, which has yet to be named, will be larger than the Passat but priced lower.