2010 Volkswagen Vw Mk5 Jetta 2.5 - Engine Wire Harness / Loom on 2040-parts.com

Mandelson to announce help for car makers

Lord Mandelson is the man charged with finding ways to fund UK Car purchases (yes, he of the dodgy mortgage debacle – at least he should know a few tricks!) as the credit crunch has dried up funding, leading to an unprecedented drop in new car sales in the UK. Mandelson is due to make a statement in the Lords just after 3pm today, outlining the help the government is going to offer to ailing car makers. Central to this package is expected to be a funding channel directly from the Bank of England to inject liquidity in to the car financing sector.

Who's Where: Bryan Nesbitt appointed VP of Design for GM North America

General Motors is looking to inject some newfound flair into its North American product lineup. Effective June 1, Bryan Nesbitt, currently Executive Director of Design at General Motors Europe will become Vice President of Design for North America and relocate to the company's technology headquarters in Warren, Michigan. The 38 year old, credited with the forward-thinking but retro PT Cruiser design in 1996, began his career at DaimlerChrysler and became the youngest design executive when he was appointed Executive Director of Body Frame Integral at General Motors in 2002.

Amelia Island concours teases headliner

Usually teaser shots hint at the future, but this one is a glimpse of the past--and of one of headliners of the 2010 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. A shot was released this week of an aluminum body before restoration. It's the skin of a 1940s roadster that will be one of the spotlight cars at the March 12-14 concours in Florida.