1960 Chevy Impala Belair 2dr Push Button on 2040-parts.com

Crackdown on bogus claims helps insurance costs fall by 12%

CAR INSURANCE premiums have plunged at a record rate of 12% year-on-year amid a tougher clampdown to combat bogus motor accident claims which add to the costs of everyone's policies. The typical quote for annual comprehensive car insurance cover was £568 in October, marking a 4.5% drop on July and a 12.4% fall on a year ago, according to the latest AA Insurance premium index, which takes the average of the five cheapest quotes on the market. This is the biggest annual slide that the AA has on its records, which go back to 1994, and marks a sharp turnaround for motorists following a period of strong increases, with premiums rising by more than 40% just two years ago.

Who's Where: Christopher Svensson and Joel Piaskowski swap roles at Ford

Ford's Christopher Svensson and Joel Piaskowski have swapped roles, with Svensson becoming exterior design director, The Americas, and Piaskowski director of design, Asia Pacific. Svensson, who will report directly to Moray Callum, Ford's executive design director, The Americas, is based in the carmaker's Dearborn studio. He oversees the exterior design team responsible for developing new products in the North and South American regions as well as supporting Ford's global design.

SEAT Altea XL

Two years after the Seat Altea hatchback was launched comes the extended XL version, which effectively becomes a mini-MPV thanks to a 187mm increase in length. This of course benefits the interior most, the trunk growing from 409 liters to 635 with the rear bench pushed forward - though is conspicuously without the extra row of seats offered by rivals. Outside, changes are most noticeable at the rear where the styling theme has been softened to reflect the car's renewed family-focus.