Carlisle Xs816 Carlisle Belt Ultimax Xs-s/m on 2040-parts.com

Motor industry backs EU membership

MOTOR MANUFACTURERS have given strong backing for the UK staying in the European Union, citing benefits including business links and free movement of labour. A survey by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed that 92% of automotive firms believed that staying in the EU would be best for their business, although most wanted to see reforms. The SMMT said its study showed how EU membership benefited the industry, such as access to a single market and funding for research and development.

Porsche Macan will sell 75,000 a year

The Porsche Macan – Porsche’s more compact SUV, based on the Audi Q5 – looks set to sell at a rate of 75,000 cars a year. The new Porsche Macan - the Porsche Cajun as was -  already looked set to take Porsche sales to another level with projected sales of 45,000 a year from 2013, but it looks like that ambitious target is going to be exceeded. German weekly WirtschaftsWoche is reporting that Porsche’s procurement boss, Uwe-Karsten Staedter, has put Porsche suppliers on notice that they are expecting to sell 75,000 Macans a year by the end of 2013 – an increase of 2/3rds on the original sales predictions.

Peugeot 308 GT THP and 308 SW (2008): first official pictures

By Mark Nichol First Official Pictures 19 February 2008 09:37 Peugeot is hammering the final nails into the coffin of the 307 with two new additions to the 308 range – a warmed-up 308 GT THP and a practical SW estate – both due to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2008. Peugeot has given that ‘Lion’s nose’ bonnet a bit more, erm, growl by dropping the 175bhp engine from the 207 GTi into it. That means 0-62mph comes up in 8.3 seconds while the top speed is 140mph.