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UK car sales grow for first time in 15 months

By Tim Smith Motor Industry 06 August 2009 12:30 UK new car sales have nudged upwards by 2.4% in July 2009 – the first increase for 15 months. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which collates registration figures, claimed that the scrappage scheme was responsible for the jump. Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive, said: ‘The impact of the scrappage scheme is clear and we are encouraged by the positive impact it has had, increasing new car registrations since April 2008.

Ford invents agile, low-cost solution for prototyping, customization and limited production [w/video]

A new metal forming technique pioneered by Ford that drastically reduces the time and cost of producing low-volume and one-off body parts may lead to cost-effective customization, redesigns, one-offs and limited production runs. Ford Freeform Fabrication Technology (F3T) forms sheets of metal by two stylus-like tools, one on each side of the surface. Using CAD data they form the part to the exacting strength and finish tolerances usually associated with stamping dies.

Alfa MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde: World record for soggy rubber

Alfa MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde World Record Balloon Bursting The Alfa MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde has broken the world record for bursting balloons filled with water in a car – 2,738 balloons. There was a time, when Guinness World Records were new and fascinating, that there was a world record for every daft idea you could think of. And there still is (even though most are bored by pointless world records now), and one of them is now held by the Alfa MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde.