Nissan Gloria 2001 Rear Left Combination Lamp [7115600] on 2040-parts.com

Volkswagen UK’s dealer showrooms get a revamp

It’s an interesting exercise to ponder on the future of main dealer showrooms as the world moves more and more towards an online buying experience. Are car showrooms a relic of the past or the perfect way, still, to showcase the offerings from a car maker? Volkswagen are taking no chances on the future and have already rolled out their ‘Digital Showrooms’ across the dealer network where staff get iPads and advanced web tools to try and bring the on-line and off-line worlds in to a workable intersection, and offer customers virtual product that wouldn’t otherwise be available on show.

Alfa Romeo roadster to be twinned with Mazda MX-5

Mazda and Fiat today announced a new deal to develop future sports cars jointly. A new affordable Alfa Romeo roadster will be built - in Japan - from 2015. The non-binding memorandum of understanding covers the development and manufacturing of a new roadster for the Mazda and Alfa Romeo marques based on Mazda’s next-generation MX-5 rear-wheel-drive architecture, according to the statement issued this morning.

Fiat future products: Look for more 500s

Next year two Fiat 500 models are scheduled to join the 500 and 500C convertible, which already are on sale as 2012 models. Cars arriving next year will be a sporty Abarth version and an electric. A fifth car will join the lineup in 2013: a four-door, five-seat, high-roof subcompact.