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Ford posts best June sales performance in down market

In a month of sandbagged auto sales, Ford was the clear winner. The Blue Oval posted a sales decline of “just” 10.7 percent in June, in a market that fell nearly 27.7 percent. It was by far the best showing of any major carmaker, helped by strong sales of its Fusion sedan and Escape crossover.

Concept Car of the Week: Honda Kiwami (2003)

As part of Honda's exploration into new, clean-performing technologies, the Kiwami concept was created to test public acceptance of the idea of a large, fuel cell-powered luxury sedan.  Unveiled in 2003, the simple yet striking design seemed like a Japanese twist on the Renault Vel Satis concept, which shared a similar wedge profile, wide stance and minimalist approach.  However, the Kiwami found its own interpretation of modern luxury, expressed through elegantly integrated technology rather than with crystal champagne glasses.  Up front, a full-width LED strip headlamp sat flush with the flat bonnet and the rectangular bumper to create a design of primitive beauty.  Further examples of the same simple Japanese aesthetic are found around the car, including the uncluttered body panels and a full-width tail-lamp graphic that matched the front theme.  The dramatic proportions of the interior were closely related to the package of the hydrogen power plant. Unlike other manufacturers at the time, Honda engineers did not create a 'skateboard' fuel cell chassis below the cabin. Instead, a sideways H-shaped layout for the control unit, ultracapacitor, fuel cell stack, hydrogen storage and other components was used, helping to create a lower center of gravity.

Goodwood Festival of Speed video and gallery

By Sarah-Jayne Harrison Motor Shows 07 July 2009 11:00 We've published our main Goodwood Festival of Speed 2009 blogs and galleries here – but we've come back with so many more snapshots and handycam video clips that we've pulled them altogether on this page. So here's a rag-bag mixture of amateur handiwork from our team of roving reporters. It's a rough 'n' ready assortment of photos and videos and will hopefully share some of the high-octane feel and noise at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.Click through our gallery to the right and scroll to the foot of the page for the video clips of cars piling up Lord March's front driveway in front of 130,000 enthusiasts.