Small Block Ford H-beam Connecting Rods on 2040-parts.com

U.S. sales rise 9 percent in July

U.S. demand for light vehicles continued to defy mostly weak economic indicators by rising 9 percent in July. Big sales gains at Japan's and Europe's top automakers--Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Volkswagen--offset declines at Ford Motor Co.

Honda Civic Tourer (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

The new Honda Civic Tourer might just be a better looker than its hatchback brother. Binning the split rear window tailgate and forming a ‘floating roofline’ makes for a decent-looking estate – but we expected that after clapping eyes on the concept car. What we can tell you is the showroom-ready Civic Tourer has the biggest boot in the compact estate class, and employs similar suspension technology to that of a Golf GTI – or an Audi R8.

Cash-for-clunkers clears 180,000 in sales, is poised for an extension

The cash-for-clunkers program has reached sales of more than 180,000--topped by the Toyota Corolla--as the Senate is poised to vote on an extension of the program on as soon as Thursday. The Ford Focus is the second-best-selling car under the program, and the Honda Civic, the Toyota Prius and the Camry complete the top five, according to Reuters. The top trade-ins were all domestics, including trucks from Ford and Dodge, as well as Jeep.