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

Dacia ‘Twingo’ planned as sub £5,000 entry-level Dacia

The current Ranault Twingo (pictured) looks set to live on as the new Dacia Twingo The new Renault Twingo – which shares its underpinnings with the next Smart – arrived at the Geneva Motor Show last week, and it looks an appealing and impressive city runaround. With 3-cylinder engines, rear wheel drive and decent looks, the Twingo looks to have a decent chance of making sensible sales this side of the Channel as the budget alternative to the next Smart Car, which will be basically the same under the skin. But those plans may go a bit awry if a report from Auto Bild is accurate, as Dacia appear to be preparing to take the current Twingo and turn it in to a budget offering for the Dacia range.

Aston Martin to axe a third of jobs

Aston Martin today announced 600 potential redundancies. It is consulting with the unions to lose 300 permanent jobs and 300 temporary staff By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 01 December 2008 14:00 Aston Martin announced at 2.00pm today that it is to cut a third of its UK workforce in a response to a slump in sales. The company, based in Gaydon, Warwickshire, said it today launched a consultation with the unions to cut 300 permanent jobs and 300 temporary posts – out of a total of 1850 employees.

Chinese brands are narrowing the quality gap with foreign automakers

When it comes to vehicle quality, domestic Chinese brands are catching up to their global peers, according to the 2010 China Initial Quality Study published by J.D. Power and Associates. The consultancy found that the quality gap between domestic and foreign brands has reached its narrowest margin in the survey's 11-year history.