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

UK Government cuts car aid, EV grants at risk

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 30 June 2010 15:48 Britain's business secretary Vince Cable today fired a warning shot across the bows of the car industry, saying that subsidies would end and warning that the pledged £5000 subsidy off the first electric cars was in peril.'Our starting point is very clear,' he told delegates at an automotive summit arranged by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. 'We've moved on from the era of subsidies. We just have to be realistic about what's affordable.'Cable said the new coalition Conservative-Liberal Government had not yet decided whether or how to implement the new low-carbon vehicle subsidies promised under Labour, which had set aside £250m in initial funding.'It is still actively under consideration,' said Cable.

EBay exotic: 1974 Alfa Romeo Berlina 2000

I'm a sucker for a four-door Alfa, and this bright red Berlina 2000 posted by our friends at Bring a Trailer has yours truly all aflutter this morning. Formerly owned by an Alfa Romeo employee in the United States, this car shows just a tick less than 89,000 original miles and wears fresh paint as of a few years ago. The seller, himself an Alfisti, claims that the gauges and mechanicals are all in correct working order, and the original factory air conditioning apparently operates as well as it did when new--which likely isn't very well, but still, it makes an interesting conversation piece.

New Mercedes A Class: Production increased to meet demand

With over 70,000 orders already in the pipeline for the new Mercedes A Class, Mercedes are increasing production to meet demand. The increase in production at Mercedes plant in Rastatt, Germany, means adding a third shift to effectively increase production by almost 50 per cent and make a dent in the 70k plus orders Mercedes already has for the new A Class. That’s in stark contrast to the recent news that Mercedes is having to slash production of the S Class as sales falter, partly due to a new S Class in the pipeline for 2013 but also because buyers are falling in love with more compact offerings.