Nissan Cube 2004 Left Fog Lamp [7610950] on 2040-parts.com

New Ford Focus ST is Europe’s best selling hot hatch.

The new Ford Focus ST has become the best selling hot hatch in Europe in the last three months, outselling the Golf GTi and Renault Megane Sport. But the new Focus ST finally went on sale last summer, and started arriving in Ford’s UK showrooms in the Autumn, as the ST finally hit Europe’s roads. At a starting price of £21,995, a more aggressive look and decent performance – 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds – the new Focus ST is an appealing performance bargain, even if 250 horses through the front wheels is a big ask.

Chevrolet Sonic at the 2011 Detroit auto show

One of GM's numerous debuts at the 2011 Detroit auto show was this: the Chevrolet Sonic. Shown as a hatchback and four-door notchback, it's one of The General's weapons to tackle the now-globalised Ford Fiesta and its ilk. Good spot. That's because this is the US-spec Aveo - albeit shown in US-only notchback form as well as the more Euro-flavoured hatchback.

Is the car industry heading toward the past?

Is the future of cars decidedly old school? An NPR blogger certainly thinks so. NPR Business Desk reporter Sonari Glinton recently likened the 2014 Detroit auto show to an era 40 years ago, reflecting the possibility that the renewed zeitgeist of an entire convention indicates a "retro" kind of thinking.