Gm #17802393 Tailgate Handle on 2040-parts.com

Lotus's glimmer of hope: Proton stands by Hethel

After another painful year of sales for Lotus in the UK – down 58% on 2011 - Norfolk's beleagured sports car brand has kicked off the New Year with the grand unveiling of its new flagship Malaysian showroom, and the thumbs-up from senior Proton company suits that Lotus isn't on its last legs. The announcement comes in the same week Lotus’s sales figures were released for 2012. Showing a substantial 58% decrease in sales and selling just 137 vehicles, Lotus Cars was the worst performer in the UK with a woeful 0.01% share of the market.  Are Lotus's Malaysian owners sticking by the company?

New Nissan Micra costs from £9,950

New Nissan Micra Facelift (pictured) costs from £9,950 Although we saw the new facelift for the Nissan Micra in the guise of the overseas Nissan March in back in March, it took Nissan until this month to reveal the new Micra for the UK, and now we’ve got specifications and prices confirmed. Starting at £9,950 for the Micra Visia, all new Micra models come with a new front and back, upgraded interior with a new centre console, better materials and more equipment. The entry-level Visia gets Bluetooth, electric front windows, remote central locking and USB, with the mid-spec Acenta (from £11,550) adding alloys, leather steering wheel, Climate and Cruise.

Top Hyundai UK Dealers honoured

Hyundai’s top UK dealers have been honoured with awards at an event in Frankfurt. Bristol Street Motors, Monaghan Brothers, Sandon Road Hyundai and J T Hughes won awards. There are lots of threads to making a brand succeed, and Hyundai’s stellar rise from budget ‘dofor’ to mainstream beating has meant weaving those threads together like a seamstress on a fine tapestry. From advertising to PR to product to showcase, the brand will only work if all the elements combine properly to convince car buyers there’s substance to the product.