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

Saab seeking court protection from creditors? It adds up

Saab seeking protection from creditors Another day, another Saab story. But the reports that Saab are to seek the protection of the courts in Sweden from the actions of creditors does ring true. And it does add up.

McLaren 12C Spider: The video

Last week we had the reveal of the convertible version of the MP4-12C – the McLaren 12C Spider – and now we get the first video of McLaren’s convertible supercar. We did think McLaren would have released a video of the new 12C Spider when it was revealed last week, but they’ve obviously got the hang of their new video software now so we finally get to see the 12C Spider in action. McLaren has used cinema-quality RED camera technology to capture the 12C Spider in terrific detail as it first performs on track and then traverses the stunning roads in the mountains of Andalucia.

Crunch watch Jan 09: the auto industry in crisis

By Tim Pollard, Ben Pulman and Gareth Evans Motor Industry 30 January 2009 12:39 Friday 30 January 2009• Honda is about to close the Swindon factory for four months when Friday's shifts are finished; the shutdown will affect 2500 of the 3700 staff, who will receive full pay for two months and then 60% pay for the next eight weeks (BBC News)• Porsche has announced a sharp drop in sales and likely profits. It forecasts a 27% drop in 911, Boxster, Cayman and Cayenne sales to around 34,000 units in the six months to the end of January 2009 (Financial Times, subscription required)• Ford wants Washington to do more to stimulate car sales, after posting a record loss of nearly $14.6 billion earlier this week (Detroit News)• Honda's quarterly profit has crashed by 90% – forcing the Japanese car maker to halve its annual profit target (Detroit Free Press)Thursday 29 January 2009• Ford of Europe is a bright spot in the Blue Oval's quarterly results today, making $1.06 billion pre-tax profit in 2008 (up from $997m in 2007). It's the first profit of more than $1bn since 1989 (Automotive News Europe, subscription required)• Volvo suffered a 'disastrous 2008' with a pre-tax loss of $1.46bn.