Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

New Peugeot 208 production cut as sales disappoint

Peugeot is cutting back on production of the new 208 as its sales fail to reach expectations, just six months on from launch. It’s not enough when Europe is ion the midst of an economic crisis and car buyers are polarised between ‘budget’ cars that offer more for less than mainstream offerings and ‘Premium’ models that are bought on the back of a preconceived notion of more kudos. That leaves car makers like Peugeot (and Renault, Citroen, Vauxhall, Ford, Opel, Fiat…) between a rock and a hard place, unable – or unwilling – to compete with the offerings from Korea and saddled with a brand that doesn’t have the ‘class’ of an Audi or a BMW or a Mercedes or even a VW.

Peugeot Exalt to be reinvented for Paris show

Peugeot design director Gilles Vidal has confirmed to Car Design News that the Exalt concept, which debuted at the Beijing auto show earlier this year will be shown at October's Paris motor show. However, while the car shown in China featured color and trim materials specific to the region, the Exalt that will grace the show stand in France will be different. "The car was presented at the Beijing auto show, and all the materials used in this car are sourced in China or Asia," says Vidal.

Rohan Saparamadu appointed Chief Designer at Maruti-Suzuki

Rohan Saparamadu has been appointed Chief Designer and Advisor to Styling at Delhi, India-based Maruti-Suzuki. Saparamadu, a veteran of GM Design for the last 23 years, was offered the position after he accepted an early retirement from the automotive giant late last year. "The company was good and that's what kept me there all those years," Saparamadu told CDN of his career at General Motors.