Watches 2012 Ninja 650r Speedometer on 2040-parts.com

Crunch watch Feb 09: the auto industry in crisis

By Tim Pollard, Ben Pulman and Ben Whitworth Motor Industry 02 March 2009 18:11 Monday 2 March• The Volkswagen Group announces a 5% rise in sales revenues in the 2008 tax year and a 3% increase in operating profits, up to €6.3 billion. Chairman Martin Winterkorn said the group's multi-brand strategy and low CO2 cars had helped sustain sales, although he admitted that 2009 would see a fall in demand and revenues (Volkswagen) Friday 27 February• Jaguar Land Rover announces a significant order for 13,000 cars from a Chinese business. It's a morale boost for JLR which has been hit by a slump in demand with the global slowdown (BBC News)• Opel this afternoon agreed to a restructuring plan designed to save as many jobs and factories as possible – but it needs a €3.3 billion lifeline from the state.

Looking back: Denise McCluggage remembers Enzo Ferrari and the machines he made

When Enzo Ferrari died on Aug. 14, 1988, it was clear that road and racing cars bearing the Prancing Horse emblem would continue to be produced. What was less certain, however, is whether Ferrari would change as an organization following the loss of its founder.

Ferrari 458 Italia Spider leaks out. Probably.

Ferrari 458 Italia Spider leaks out - probably It’s only a couple of weeks since we reported that Ferrari would be taking the convertible 458 to Frankfurt, and now we have a set of three leaked photos of the Ferrari 458 Italia Spider in all its glory, doubtless leaked out from a magazine printers. We’re not completely convinced the photos of the 458 Spider are real – they seem familiar somehow and could be good Photoshops – but if they are real there’s no doubt Ferrari won’t be amused – as Italians seldom are under these circumstances. But assuming the photos are real they just tell us what we already know – the 458 Spider is the regular 458 Italia with its roof chopped off.