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2013 Rolls Royce Ghost updates

Three years on from the launch of a Rolls Royce for owner drivers – the RR Ghost – Rolls Royce has made some updates for 2013. Believe it or not, it’s three years since the Rolls Royce Ghost arrived at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show as a more ‘Sporty’ take on the RR ethos and aimed at owner-drivers; the sort of chap who’s outgrown big Mercedes and BMW but still likes to drive. Three years on from launch, we’re still waiting for RR to deliver a Ghost Coupe (perhaps the Corniche?) and a Ghost DHC, so when we saw an email from Rolls Royce with 2013 updates we got quite excited.

Ford to introduce inflatable seatbelts

When the 2011 Ford Explorer hits showrooms, its move to a unibody platform won't be the only major change. Ford will use the next-generation Explorer to introduce inflatable seatbelts for rear passengers. According to Ford, the inflatable seatbelt will help distribute crash forces across five times more body area, compared with traditional seatbelts.

Cost of garage labour falling

THE AVERAGE labour rate at both franchised and non-franchised garages has fallen compared to 2012, according to new figures. An annual survey of 12,000 cases conducted on behalf of Warranty Direct has concluded that the average labour rate in 2013 is £74.70, a fall of 9.84% from £82.86 in 2012. Less encouraging is the overall trend of rising labour rates, with the average having increased by 33% over the last ten years.