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GM, Ford roll out protection plans for car buyers

General Motors is following Hyundai and Ford in offering protection for car buyers who lose their jobs. A plan announced Tuesday morning called Total Confidence offers up to nine payments of up to $500 each if a car buyer loses his or her job in the first 24 months after the purchase. The plan covers loans and leases.

De Tomaso bites the dust – again

De Tomaso has filed for bankruptcy again after failing to complete any of the deals Gian Mario Rossignolo had claimed would save the brand. De Tomaso has never had a an easy time of things despite building a few cars – well, the De Tomaso Pantera, at least – which had real appeal. After its last bankruptcy, former Fiat executive Gian Mario Rossignolo rode in as a white knight to put De Tomaso back on top – or so we thought.

UK car production jumps as Europeans buy British

The UK’s car production jumped by 12% last month as demand from Europe for British-built cars increases. Nearly 80% of cars made in the UK are exported worldwide, and 142,158 were produced in March 2014 – compared to 126,909 in March 2013. Official: UK car production is booming UK car production hits six-year high That means so far this year the UK has built 404,803 cars, a rise of 2.9% compared to this time last year.