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Production output decline slowing

By Alex Michaelides Motor Industry 24 July 2009 12:09 It appears there may be some light at the end of the tunnel for ailing car manufacturers as the most recent vehicle production figures are released. The data, presented by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), show that, while production levels are still on the decline, the pace at which they are declining is slowing. Car production figures for June 2009 are still down by 30.2% compared with this time last year, however this is an improvement on the 50.2% by which production is down so far this year.

NHTSA safety consultant dies at 64

Miami trauma surgeon and preeminent car-crash researcher Jeffrey Augenstein would often tell the story of the time he was talking to a crash victim who collapsed and died from hidden injuries in the middle of the conversation. The experience led Augenstein to research and then call attention to the unexpected injuries that could occur when drivers interacted with airbags. It's but one example of the achievements of Augenstein, who died recently at age 64.

Ford Fiesta Titanium Individual and revised Fiesta range launched

The new top of the range Ford Fiesta Titanium Individual Despite the success – or perhaps because of it – Ford are having a play around with the Fiesta range and adding a new model at the top – the Fiesta Titanium Individual. The new Fiesta lineup now consists of Studio, Edge, ECOnetic, Zetec, Titanium and Zetec S, with the Individual standing at the top. The Studio now comes as either a three or five doors and gets electric windows thrown in; the new Edge range gets AirCon as standard as does the ECOnetic (something we asked for when we did the Fiesta ECOnetic review – Ford must have been listening again?