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

Thinking Automotive Design

At a time when nine new automotive plants are being built in Brazil, the production of local design studios has acquired strong significance in the market. Significantly, the best-selling cars in the country are the VW Gol and the completely new Fiat Uno, both developed locally. It's therefore no surprise that car design gains more importance in the country's cultural scenario.

Cautious welcome for fuel duty freeze

MOTORING groups have given a cautious welcome to Chancellor George Osborne's announcement of a freeze on fuel duty until May 2015. Both the AA and the RAC pointed out that Mr Osborne was already getting big sums from motorists in taxation. Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said: "Transport is the single biggest area of household expenditure bar none and our own research shows that 800,000 of the poorest households are in transport poverty, spending a quarter or more of their income on running a car.

VW sells 5 million cars in China

VW has hit 5 million car sales in China But some car makers saw the future long before the rest. Volkswagen has been making cars in China for 25 years in collaboration with Chinese partner SAIC. And 25 years ago China was a very different place to the country it is now, so it was a brave move and a big risk for VW at the time.