99 00 01 02 03 Volvo S80 Passenger Power Window Switch on 2040-parts.com

Big fall in insurance premiums

DRIVERS are set to be quoted happy after it was revealed that insurance premiums have fallen by more than 14% over the last year. The typical quote for annual comprehensive car insurance cover was £533 in January, which was also a record 4.6% slide on the previous quarter, according to the latest AA Insurance premium index, which takes the average of the five cheapest quotes on the market. The AA British Insurance Premium Index, which has been running for 20 years, found that the North West remains the most costly region to insure a car, with the average premium for someone who shops around standing at £809, although this region also saw the biggest price drop over the past quarter at 6.3%.

Ford Focus BEV at 2009 Frankfurt motor show

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 15 September 2009 10:00 Not one to miss out on a party, Ford gatecrashed the French brands’ electric carfest at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show. The new Focus BEV (battery electric vechicle) is a working prototype and not bound for production – yet, although that is the longer term intention. A demo programme starts with 15 cars hitting UK roads in 2010.

Convertible prices down – time to buy

Now is the best time to buy a convertible Traditionally, the end of the year has seen a big drop in the price of convertibles. Conversely, the Spring always sees a price rise. Which in the past always made sense. After all, who wants to be driving round in a drafty, cold soft-top when winter bites?