Yfz 450 Rear Hubs on 2040-parts.com

UK car production down 20%

CAR PRODUCTION slowed a little last month, according to official figures. A total of 133,730 cars were made in the UK in February - 2.7% fewer than in February 2013, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said. Cars made for the export market rose 3.5% last month, but manufacturing for the home market was down 20.8%.

Saab targets customers' hearts, brains and wallets in North America

Saab executives said they're optimistic the struggling brand will be able to attract customers despite production stoppages at the company's Trollhaettan, Sweden, plant and cash flow problems. The Swedish automaker aims to target consumers and instill confidence with a grass-roots marketing campaign that focuses on the "heart, brain and wallet," Saab Cars North America President Tim Colbeck told reporters at Saab's North American headquarters in suburban Detroit on Thursday. Colbeck said the company must move away from selling vehicles based on price and focus more on making customers enthusiastic about driving Saab's vehicles.

Ford warms up new era of car-guy leaders

A minor temblor shook Dearborn, Mich., today with the announcement that Mark Fields, president of the Americas, climbed the golden corporate ladder to grab the chief operating officer ring, setting him up to succeed Alan Mulally in a couple of years. The move did not come as a shock-it only confirmed the whispers of auto industry Royal Watchers. The biggest news for those who care about cars, however, is two-fold: Jim Farley, Ford's global marketing boss, also takes the helm of Lincoln.