Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series 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this week's Beijing motor show would still dismiss China as some also-ran automotive market full of rip-off designs and outdated ‘new’ cars based on old Western designs.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).

Toyota Yaris Hybrid: First photos of the production hybrid

Toyota Yaris Hybrid in production guise Toyota has revealed the first photos of the production version of the Toyota Yaris Hybrid ahead of a public reveal at Geneva 2012. We’re still not really sure we understand Toyota’s policy when it comes to hybrid cars. It’s clear they still see hybrid as the future, but they no longer seem to believe that Prius is a brand to promote hybrid goodness, at least not in Europe.

Ssangyong getting bullish with the Korando SX

The new Ssangyong Korando SX is to feature in a £1 million TV advertising campaign comparing price and spec with its rivals. It’s almost exactly a year since we reported Ssangyong’s return to the UK market with the Ssangyong Korando, a competitive budget compact SUV they hoped would set them on a path to sales success in the UK. Ssangyong ramped up their Korando offering in June by launching the Korando SX 4×4 at a very reasonable £18,795, although you did have to sacrifice kit – and a lump of power – to achieve the new 4×4 entry price.