Bosch X5dc Spark Plug on 2040-parts.com

Saab 1947-2009: GM 'will close Saab'

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 18 December 2009 20:33 It's a sad day for Saabphiles, as GM announced – one week to the day before Christmas – that it has failed to find a buyer for Saab. It will begin winding down the Saab operation immediately. There had been a glimmer hope for Saab earlier this month, as supercar maker Spyker stepped in as a possible suitor after similarly small sports car specialist Koenigsegg walked away from a potential deal in November 2009.But GM admitted it could not viably sell Saab to Spyker – and no other bidders were forthcoming.

MPs call for parking charge reports

COUNCILS should publish annual parking-charge reports to show where revenue comes from and where it is being used, MPs said today. The use of parking charges and fines specifically to raise revenue was "neither acceptable nor legal" said Louise Ellman, chairman of the House of Commons Transport Committee. Launching a report by her committee into local authority parking enforcement in England, Mrs Ellman said: "There is a deep-rooted public perception that parking enforcement is used as a cash cow, so it's essential that local authorities apply stringent transparency." The committee said local authorities in England had a collective parking surplus in the hundreds of millions of pounds, but that the exact amount was subject to debate.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta facelifted for the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Alfa Romeo today only sells two regular cars, the MiTo and Giulietta. The family hatchback Giulietta is its most profitable – and also its best – and so to ensure it still has at least some appeal alongside the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus that outclass it, Alfa has facelifted it for the 2014 model year. It’s a very discreet and low-effort facelift, but the firm still hopes it’s just enough to keep the family five-door ticking over.