Shelby Cobra Used Oil Pan on 2040-parts.com

Car production increases again

THE SOCIETY of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said UK manufacturers built 91,282 cars in August, up 16.2%, or 12,705, on the same period in 2012, leaving year-to-date volumes 3.1% ahead of 2012, at 984,545. The figures showed 20,298 cars were made for the home market this year, up 21.1%, while 70,984 were for export, up 14.8%. SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: "The past 12-months has been one of the most productive since late 2008." Samuel Tombs, of consultancy Capital Economics, said the CBI figures showed the manufacturing sector "continuing to go from strength to strength".

Tesla touts top sales at Detroit auto show

Tesla credits the "exceptional cold weather performance" of its Model S for 20 percent-higher-than-expected Q4 sales of 6,900 units, bringing total Model S sales worldwide to 25,000 so far. In fact, Tesla says its sedan does so well in the snow that the rear wheels are the only ones that need any torque. "This car performs outstandingly in winter conditions," said Tesla vp of vehicle engineering Chris Porritt in a video released the day of the Detroit Auto Show.

Spied: Porsche 911 GT3 RS

The mild redesign of Porsche's 911 range will get to the ultra-high-performance GT3 RS model, based on these spy shots. This prototype was nabbed making a cross-country U.S. dash.