Ockam Performance Index Module #037 on 2040-parts.com

Now the Germans say no to Volvo

As we’ve reported in the last few weeks, Ford has been trying its best to offload Volvo, the last of its ‘Prestige’ Euro marques. The Chinese looked to be the best bet, but it seems that that is going nowhere at the moment (the Chinese are probably waiting for Ford to get in to an even deeper mess with the hope of picking up Volvo for peanuts) and now its seems that Ford’s fire-sale has drawn more blanks. Now the Germans turn down the chance to own Volvo Der Spiegel reports that Daimler (Mercedes-Benz) boss Dieter Zetsche has revealed that Daimler has turned down the chance to buy Volvo, and has also revealed that BMW has had a good look, and reached the same decision.

Kia Carens

Kia's latest Carens compact MPV is set to debut on 27 September during the Paris motor show. The 2013 Carens, the work of Peter Schreyer and his design team, was conceived around the theme of ‘dynamic space' and features a cab-forward design with a longer wheelbase, lower roofline and chrome beltline accent. Very few other details have emerged of the Renault Scenic rival but we'll bring you full details when they do.

One lap of the Web: microcars and muscle cars

-- Remember the 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2? Yes, the one that you can't find anywhere now outside of those amazingly outdated posters (where do they find them?) they have on the walls of your local oil change place, right next to a poster of a GMC Syclone and a first-generation Dodge Viper? The one with the plastic nosecone that inevitably gets warped?