Mercedes Benz W126 Front Bumper Bracket Outside Left 1268851114 Oem Nos on 2040-parts.com

Crunch watch Feb 09: the auto industry in crisis

By Tim Pollard, Ben Pulman and Ben Whitworth Motor Industry 02 March 2009 18:11 Monday 2 March• The Volkswagen Group announces a 5% rise in sales revenues in the 2008 tax year and a 3% increase in operating profits, up to €6.3 billion. Chairman Martin Winterkorn said the group's multi-brand strategy and low CO2 cars had helped sustain sales, although he admitted that 2009 would see a fall in demand and revenues (Volkswagen) Friday 27 February• Jaguar Land Rover announces a significant order for 13,000 cars from a Chinese business. It's a morale boost for JLR which has been hit by a slump in demand with the global slowdown (BBC News)• Opel this afternoon agreed to a restructuring plan designed to save as many jobs and factories as possible – but it needs a €3.3 billion lifeline from the state.

Honda to offer second-gen Element

Although the Element has been a disappointing seller, Honda plans to offer a second generation of its quirky crossover rather than treat it as an experiment. The company is hitting a key demographic with the Element that it does not reach with the vehicle's platform sibling, the CR-V, said John Mendel, American Honda Motor Co. executive vice president.

Preview: Goodwood Festival of Speed 2009 – True Grit

By Ben Whitworth Motor Shows 20 March 2009 16:11 The 2009 Festival of Speed – held this year over the weekend of 3-5 July – will honour motorsport’s endurance heroes with a celebration of Le Mans’ 60th anniversary. ‘The Festival will pay tribute to the men who fought against the odds on the track and won,’ Lord March told CAR Online. ‘With drivers like Jochen Mass, Jacky Ickx, Jackie Stewart and Sterling Moss joining us – drivers that went the extra mile in the pursuit of victory – I’m really looking forward to seeing some of the great endurance drivers, riders and machines in action.’ The Festival will also take in a number of other important anniversaries – both Audi and Morgan will be celebrating their centenaries, the Mini will turn 50, and it will mark 40 years of Frank Williams’ involvement in Formula 1.