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Volkswagen Routan (2008): first official pictures

By Stephen Dobie First Official Pictures 16 January 2008 16:03 Volkswagen’s push for more sales in the US will be reinforced with the new Routan minivan, due to be shown to its North American market at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2008. The model is heavily based on the Chrysler Town and Country (the Grand Voyager to you and me) and will major on interior space. The car itself is over five metres long and accommodates seven.

Lexus at the Paris motor show 2008

By Gavin Green Motor Shows 02 October 2008 20:08 A coupe/cabriolet version of the appealing IS250 was Lexus’s highlight at Paris. Its three-piece folding metal roof completes its gymnastics in just 20 seconds before folding flat in the cavernous boot. All very well, but the ugly rear end totally undermines any showroom appeal.

Vauxhall: Ellesmere Port plant saved – 700 new jobs created

Vauxhall Ellesmere Port - Saved General Motors is to keep Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port open, move to three shift working and create 700 new jobs. The overcapacity of mainstream car manufacture in Europe as the market becomes ever more polarised between premium and budget cars – squeezing the middle – means car maker having to rationalise their output. Many thought that could mean the end of Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port as GM sought to stem its European losses (around £2 billion in the last three years), especially as it is easier to close plants and lay off workers in the UK than in mainland Europe.