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European car sales down 9.6% Jan 2013. VW Golf sales down 17.8%

Car sales in Europe continue to decline with sales down 9.6% in January 2013 and the top-selling VW Golf down by 17.8%. In fact, the UK was the only top five market to increase sales, with Germany down 8.6 per cent, France down 15.1 per cent, Italy down 17.6 per cent and Spain 9.2 per cent. Other notable drops included the Netherlands which saw a huge drop of 30.4 per cent, partly driven by tighter emission boundaries on company car taxation.

Motortrend examines making of Kia’s Track’ster concept

Motortrend has included a comprehensive step-by-step guide exploring the process through which Kia built its Track'ster concept car in its April edition. The study, complete with a detailed photo timeline, tracks the progress of the concept vehicle from the original idea right the way through to the car's unveiling at the Chicago Auto Show. The Track'ster was originally pitched as a turbo four-cylinder all-wheel-drive sports car and is based on the production version of the Kia Soul, which was the company's second-best-selling vehicle of 2011.

Honda Civic (2011) at Frankfurt motor show

This is the ninth generation of Honda’s small car star, which has gestated from trend setting (Civic Mk1 of 1972) to stylistically dull if technically advanced (most) to sci-fi-style wacko but technically mainstream (Civic Mk8). New Civics, over the years, have been about as easy to forecast as David Beckham’s next hairstyle as Honda engineers – never the most predictable bunch – veer from brave to bashful. The new Civic, unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show, is eye-catching although less off-centre than generation eight, and is closed basely mechanically on its predecessor.