Ford Distributor Fomoco 12127a B9af-12131-a on 2040-parts.com

GM and PSA sign a global strategic alliance (2012)

GM and PSA Peugeot Citroen this evening announced a 'long-term and broad-scale global strategic alliance' which will see the three brands co-develop cars in Europe and, in some cases, globally. Opel/Vauxhall and Peugeot Citroen will start sharing vehicle platforms and components, with the first jointly developed models expected by 2016. The focus will be on small and medium sized cars, MPVs and crossovers, but could in future stretch to include vans and commercial vehicles.

Kia pro_cee’d GT goes on sale – price from £19,995

The new Kia pro_cee’d GT (pictured) is now on sale in the UK The Kia pro_cee’d GT – a decent stab at a hot hatch from Kia – arrived in January, ahead of a public debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. And now it’s on sale in the UK. The pro_cee’d GT gets Kia’s 1.6 litre petrol aided by a turbo to produce appealing figures of 201bhp and 195lb/ft of torque, enough to scoot the GT to 62mph in 7.4 seconds and on to 143mph.

Mercedes-Benz backs Smart with ads, deals

Smart USA will launch a TV, print and digital marketing campaign by year end to jump-start the struggling microcar brand that Mercedes-Benz USA took over on July 1. "People are not avoiding the brand or the product, but there is a great majority of people who are not aware of the brand," said Tracey Matura, the new general manager of Smart USA. Mercedes is also offering lease and finance deals for the Smart brand through its Mercedes-Benz Financial Services captive finance arm.