Audi 200 Quattro 3b 20v Speedometer New 170mph 280kph 447957033ag Vdo German on 2040-parts.com

New Peugeot 208 production cut as sales disappoint

Peugeot is cutting back on production of the new 208 as its sales fail to reach expectations, just six months on from launch. It’s not enough when Europe is ion the midst of an economic crisis and car buyers are polarised between ‘budget’ cars that offer more for less than mainstream offerings and ‘Premium’ models that are bought on the back of a preconceived notion of more kudos. That leaves car makers like Peugeot (and Renault, Citroen, Vauxhall, Ford, Opel, Fiat…) between a rock and a hard place, unable – or unwilling – to compete with the offerings from Korea and saddled with a brand that doesn’t have the ‘class’ of an Audi or a BMW or a Mercedes or even a VW.

Renault axe Espace, Kangoo, Laguna, Modus & Wind in UK

Renault Wind Gordini - just arrived, now it's gone Renault is axing the Espace, Kangoo, Laguna, Modus & Wind models in the UK in a drive to restore profitability. In an age when we’re use to car makers extending their ranges on an almost daily basis, Renault are going the opposite way by cutting four models from their range of cars in the UK. Out will go the Wind Roadster, the Espace, the Modus, the Kangoo and even the car that most would think of as one of Renault’s best selling models – the Laguna.

Skoda MissionL Concept revealed – the Skoda Lauretta, perhaps?

Skoda MissionL Concept - destined to be the Skoda Lauretta Skoda is on a mission to push its sales through the roof in the next year or seven – aiming for 1.5 million sales, no less, by 2018 –  and part of that strategy is to fill the gap in its range between the Fabia and Octavia. So it’s a good thing the Skoda MissionL Concept fits the bill. Not that we have a great deal to go on with the MissionL Concept, as all Skoda have done so far is send us a short press release and the teaser photo above (which was a lot darker until we sent it through Photoshop).