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

Driven: Ford Focus

The previous two generations of the Ford Focus have consistently been near the top of the European best sellers list over their combined 13-year life spans, but this new car has even greater responsibility. This is the first Focus designed – from the outset – for European, American and Asian markets combined. The biggest, most pertinent question is whether the global 'One Ford' strategy this car has been designed under can work in practice.

Peugeot Ramps Up Production For New 308

FRENCH car maker Peugeot is to crank up production of its new 308 model as demand has rocketed for the recently crowned 2014 European Car of the Year. Built at Peugeot’s Sochaux plant in France, the firm has announced it’s to add a night shift from June, with the result that 600 jobs are being created and output will increase to a total of 1,563 cars per day. The firm has said it has already taken over 60,000 orders, while the decision to up production coincides with the launch this summer of an estate version, the 308 SW.

2015 Vauxhall Astra means new UK jobs

Vauxhall has announced that it will take on 300 new staff at its Ellesmere Port plant, ready for production of the new Astra in 2015. It follows the plant’s successful bid to build the 2015 Astra, which secured investment of £125 million for the UK factory in 2012. 20 reasons why Britain’s car industry is booming Read a Vauxhall new car review Meanwhile, in 2011, Vauxhall’s Luton plant received a £185 million investment to build the new Vivaro van – and now the Bedfordshire base is planning to create a further 250 jobs.