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Crunch watch July 09: the auto industry in crisis

By Tim Pollard, Ben Pulman, Ben Whitworth and Alex Michaelides Motor Industry 31 July 2009 11:23 Welcome to CAR's news aggregator as we round up the seismic change in the auto industry. Top tip: news summaries are added from the top hour-by-hour  Friday 31 July 2009• Lamborghini today posted pre-tax profits of €5.4 million – despite a sales drop of 37% in the first six months of 2009. Sant'Agata said turnover hit €156.9m in the first half (down 43%) as it sold 825 cars globally (Lamborghini)• British motorists could have to pay £250 in tax to park at work from 2012.

Opel/Vauxhall Adam Rocks previews crossover, cabrio

Opel/Vauxhall has previewed its Adam Rocks 'concept' ahead of its world debut at next month's Geneva motor show. This mini-crossover is taller and wider than the production Adam thanks to a suspension raised by 15mm with a 20mm wider stance. Its fabric sunroof suggests it will compete with the Fiat 500C and the new Citroen DS3 Cabrio.  The sketches show unpainted plastic bumpers and extended wheelarches along with underbody protection, emphasizing its rugged appearance apparently inspired by "parkour athletes".

Mazda 3, Mazda 6 get customized for the SEMA Show

We like the look of Mazda's current lineup, from the basic 2 to the sleek 6. Kodo design language has a lot to do with it -- Mazda North American Operations design director Derek Jenkins says that, thanks that Kodo styling, "the Zoom-Zoom genetic code is further being embraced, not buried, through increasingly expressive vehicle design." (Ugh.-ED) We didn't know genetics had anything to do with it, but hey -- tough to argue with the results. Perhaps Kodo's effectiveness is why Mazda's SEMA show concepts are fairly...restrained compared to what other automakers are bringing to Las Vegas.