Acura Keychain on 2040-parts.com

New car sales up by 3% on 2013

ANOTHER RISE in new car sales in February has meant purchases have increased every month for two years. A total of 68,736 vehicles were registered last month - a 3% rise on the total for February 2013, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said. Sales for the first two months of this year have totalled 223,298 - a 6.1% rise on the total for the first two months of 2013 SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said the two years of continuous growth was "a real endorsement of consumer confidence and the attractiveness of the new car market".

Lotus gets a new boss – former Citroen Peugeot President Jean-Marc Gales

Jean-Marc Gales left) new Lotus CEO with Aslam Farikullah Following the debacle of Dany Bahar’s grandiose plans to turn Lotus in to a cross between Aston Martin and Ferrari, owners DRB-HICOM/Proton have been busy trying to get ship Lotus back on an even keel. That started with the appointment of engineer Aslam Farikullah as chief operating officer at Lotus when Bahar got his marching orders, and he’s been busy for the last two years bolting Lotus back together, cutting costs, improving quality and increasing sales. Now, it looks like Lotus are readying themselves for the next stage of their recovery – which will include new models – as former PSA president Jean-Marc Gales is appointed as Lotus CEO to work with Aslam Farikullah.

Bentley collaborates with Estede for solid gold sunglasses

Bentley and Estede have reported that sales of the first collection of limited edition solid gold sunglasses are through the roof. Celebrating the one-year anniversary of working together, the stylish and somewhat decadent sunglasses line is designed with Bentley's dedication of luxury in mind. The modern sunglasses, created in the style of the popular aviator eyewear, are available in either 18-carat solid gold, silver palladium or platinum with the Bentley ‘B' logo embedded in the hand-polished coating, with engraved surfaces reflecting the quilted leather interior favored in Bentley cars.