Acura Honda Shifter Knob on 2040-parts.com

Beijing motor show: China means (auto) business

By Guy Bird Motor Shows 22 April 2008 05:34 Only a fool wandering around this week's Beijing motor show would still dismiss China as some also-ran automotive market full of rip-off designs and outdated ‘new’ cars based on old Western designs. While all of those clichés were still in evidence at the Chinese auto show, the copycat mentality is much less obvious than even a year ago at last year's Shanghai show. And every western car exec CAR spoke to was in awe of the upward sales trajectory that means China is still the place to do business in 2008.Yes, there are still some odd automotive fish, usually small ‘three-box’ saloon in shape such as the Chinese market only Citroen C-Elysee and the VW Lavida (a Jetta/Bora Plus car with less style).

Jaguar XF Estate Confirmed – finally

Jaguar XF Estate Confirmed - finally We’ve been expecting Jaguar to expand the XF range by bringing to market the Jaguar XF Estate for at least the last two years. But so far they’ve resisted. Jaguar has confessed that it is their plan to expand the successful XF range by adding the new models we’ve long expected – the XF Estate, XF Coupe and XF Convertible – even if until quite recently Jaguar were privately claiming the lack of an all wheel drive platform for the XF mitigated against it.

Opel to revive Monza line with Frankfurt-bound concept

Opel will unveil a new concept aimed at reviving the Monza line at September's Frankfurt motor show, according to reports emerging from Germany. The concept is believed to be a large coupé showcasing the brand's latest in lightweight materials and in-car technologies. Details are scarce, but it is allegedly based on a shortened Cadillac ATS platform with a rear-wheel drive layout and will include a range of four- and six-cylinder engines with displacements between between 2.0 and 3.6-liters.