Parking Brake Cable Rear-left/right Pioneer Ca-5233 on 2040-parts.com

Vauxhall Astra (2009): first interior photos

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 18 June 2009 15:15 Vauxhall has released the first interior pictures of the new sixth-generation Astra, showing that the inside of the five-door hatch has been heavily influenced by the bigger Insignia's. The architecture broadly follows that of the Insignia, with (at least in top-spec models) a high-set sat-nav system, sitting above the audio and air-con controls and flanked by the central air vents. The air vents themselves are more angular than the items you'll find in the Insignia, and the dash itself also appears more upright.

U.S. sales of quirky 5-series GT disappoint BMW

BMW's 5-series Gran Turismo was meant to be a stylish alternative to minivans and crossovers when it debuted in November 2009. But sales of the tall, quirky five-door have been disappointing. Now, BMW of North America CEO Jim O'Donnell says he wishes the company hadn't stopped selling the 5-series wagon in the United States last year.

New Porsche SUV could be called Cajun

Volkswagen AG CEO Martin Winterkorn said a new Porsche small SUV will be brought to market soon as part of plans to expand the sports car brand's lineup to boost sales. Winterkorn said Porsche will get "a new SUV, a smaller brother to the Cayenne which might be named Cajun." He was speaking in an interview with German magazine Der Spiegel that was published Monday. Volkswagen is taking over Porsche Automobil Holding SE's carmaking operations as the companies build on a partnership that includes sharing vehicle platforms.