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

Dacia 'to stay true to its budget roots'

The global marketing boss in charge of Dacia’s roll-out has promised that Renault’s budget brand won’t move upmarket. Many bargain car marques end up inching – or scrambling – upmarket, with slicker products, big price hikes and a desertion of their value promise. But Dacia promises it won't follow the likes of Skoda, Hyundai and Kia by starting cheap 'n' cheerful and then raising prices.

New Vauxhall Meriva (2010) spotted

The 2010 Vauxhall Meriva testing at the Nurburgring This Meriva is an all new design and follows the family theme set by the new Astra and Insignia. But we think it’s a bit of a ringer for the new Kia Venga we saw at Frankfurt last week. Still, there’s a limit to what you can do with a set criteria and a five-seat MPV, so that’s no huge surprise.

Future products: Mitsubishi turns focus to small, global cars

Major updates to Mitsubishi's products are on the back burner as the company concentrates on developing small cars that can be sold around the world. That means the future is uncertain for the Galant, Endeavor and Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder, which Mitsubishi builds in the United States. A top priority is a global small car expected to go on sale here by the end of 2012.