Daihatsu Weatherstrip 56121-87511-000 on 2040-parts.com

Porsche uses phone-formatted bar codes to connect with customers

Porsche is harnessing the power of smartphones, using Microsoft Tag bar codes to provide dealership customers with unique information about the cars they're looking at. Buyers can scan the square stickers with a properly equipped phone, and the application will take them to dedicated microsites where they can see stats, videos and pictures of the car, along with audio clips of a flat-six engine revving up. Through the microsite, buyers can provide contact info for a follow-up call from Porsche salespeople.

Who's Where: Sielaff and Egger take on new roles in 2012

Both Wolfgang Egger and Stefan Sielaff will take on new roles in the latest move of car designer chess within the Volkswagen Group. Egger takes over the position of Head of Audi Brand Design from Sielaff, who will become Head of Interior Design for the Volkswagen Group as well as Head of the Volkswagen Design Center in Potsdam. Their respective roles will become operational on 1 February 2012.

UK Budget 2011: the outcome for motorists

UK chancellor George Osborne announced the 2011 budget today - which includes fuel duty cuts and changes to car tax that will affect every motorist in the land. 2011 Budget changes to fuel duty The Government will cut 1p in fuel duty, effective from 6.00pm tonight. Osborne said the fuel tax cut was designed to offset rising fuel prices, which have burdened every driver with higher bills. And the current inflation-linked 'fuel price escalator', established by the previous Government, has been abolished. Further fuel duty rises in line with inflation have been deferred until 1 January 2012. The planned 1 April 2012 fuel duty rise will be deferred to 1 August 2012.