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Mercedes-Benz axes Maybach

High ranking Mercedes-Benz sources have confirmed to Autoweek that the underperforming Maybach brand will be officially killed off in 2013. The decision to disband Mercedes-Benz’s upper luxury marque comes after a decade of disappointing sales for the Maybach 57 and 62 and a recent decision from the German car maker’s chairman Dieter Zetsche not to push ahead with the development replacement models – the likes of which were tentatively due out in 2014 – owing to what one insider describes as a “positive move to focus greater attention on the Mercedes-Benz brand” . “We’ve come to the conclusion that it is better to cut our losses with Maybach than to continue into an uncertain future with a brand that has failed to live up to original sales expectations," the insider said.

Saab 9-3: is this the new 2013 hatch?

Is this the new Saab 9-3? Contained in Saab's business plan submitted to the Swedish National Debt Office was this grainy image of what purports to be the new 2013 9-3. If it is indeed a model of the finished 9-3, then it shows that the 2011 Phoenix concept car was influential in guiding what should become Saab's best-seller.

Ford Fiesta “Centura” – 100 years of Ford UK

Ford Fiesta Centura Ford isn’t a British company – even if many of us think of Ford as a patriotic buy – although they’ve been in the UK for 100 years. And to celebrate that landmark they’ve revealed the Ford Fiesta Centura, a limited edition of just 1,000 cars. Based on the Fiesta 1.25 Zetec, the Fiesta Centura gets £600 worth of extras – metallic paint (Panther Black only), chrome mirrors, 16″ alloys, auto lights and wipers, rear parking sensors, reversing camera and LED running lights – and costs £13,395 for the three-door and £13,995 for the five door.