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All used up: Pre-owned sales rise as consumers seek new-car alternatives

Used-car sales took a leap upward in April, and the trend is expected to continue at least until midyear as pent-up demand for affordable pre-owned vehicles jacks up at least one segment of the car marketplace. Sales of new cars continued an unabated slide toward what analysts say is a 30-year low in the United States, but used-car sales showed strength as buyers unable to finance new cars shifted their sights to less expensive used models. As a result, retailers such as the large Penske Automotive Group reported that despite an overall decline in sales in the first three months of 2009, improving used-car sales kept them in the black.

£54k insurance fraud foiled by black box

A fraudulent £54,000 insurance claim following a crash involving a car and a lorry has been found bogus thanks to a black box device fitted to the car. Three passengers in the lorry claimed for personal injury damages after it was shunted at low speed by a Vauxhall Astra. However, the Astra was fitted with a telematics device that, when examined, revealed that due to the size and weight of the vehicles and the speed of the Astra, the claimed injuries were implausible.

Audi A1: American buyers not ready says U.S. chief De Nysschen

Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen says the United States and its small-equals-cheap mentality isn't ready for premium subcompacts such as the Audi A1, which goes on sale in Europe later this year. In an interview with Automotive News on Monday, de Nysschen said Audi is "seriously looking" at bringing the A1 to the United States in the car's next generation six to eight years from now. Bringing it here earlier could damage Audi's efforts to build widespread recognition for the brand, he said.