Volvo Oem Tailgate Weatherstrip Xc90 on 2040-parts.com

The fall and rise of the budget car

Twenty years ago, the classic bargain brands like Lada seemed to be going the same way as the Soviet empire that spawned them. Woefully dated and badly made, only a weirdo would have bought a new Lada rather than a second-hand model from Ford, Vauxhall or VW. However, one of the big trends in the car industry today is the re-emergence of bargain cars.

Volvo Emissions Equality Campaign – Great move

The Volvo V70 - less polluting than a Fiat 500 Whenever we get the opportunity – as regular readers will know – we complain about the current obsession with CO2 emissions on cars and call for car makers and Governments to act on the emissions which actually matter – NOx, hydrocarbons and particulates (and here, and here, and here and…). And it looks like Volvo agrees. Volvo are launching the ‘Emissions Equality Campaign to get car buyers to consider the whole picture when it comes to car emissions and not just look at the figure for CO2, which buyers have been brainwashed in to thinking matters (our view of CO2 – not Volvo’s).

'Concept Cars by Bertone' 2014 Degler Calendar out now

‘Concept Cars by Bertone' is the theme of the 2014 Degler Calendar by automotive photographer Pitor Degler Jablonski, which showcases some of the most important and unique prototypes designed by the coachbuilder. Through his photography Jablonski celebrates car design icons such as Nuccio Bertone's own racecar, advanced concepts such as the Stratos Zero and Marcello Gandini's Lamborghinis as well as the recent designs of Mike Robinson, Bertone's current brand and design director. The 12 cars featuring in the 2014 Degler Calendar will be:  1947 Fiat Barchetta 1955 Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1967 Lamborghini Marzal 1968 Alfa Romeo Carabo 1969 Autobianchi Runabout 1970 Lancia Stratos Zero 1976 Alfa Romeo Navajo 1984 Chevrolet Ramarro 1999 Alfa Romeo Bella 2003 Bertone Birusa 2007 Fiat Barchetta 2010 Alfa Romeo Pandion Every year the calendar will carry different themes like carrozeria classics, rally cars or dream cars.