Rolls and Aston plan new convertibles

ROLLS-ROYCE and Aston Martin have both announced exciting new convertible models, giving workers at the UK-based car makers a welcome boost to their job security. Aston is set to début a new member of the Vantage family, after shoe-horning a V12 engine into an open-top body to create the V12 Vantage S Roadster. It will make its public entrance at the Pebble Beach Auto Week in California, starting on August 14.

Jaguar Land Rover strong September sales thanks to Evoque & XF 2.2

JLR Sales up in September thanks to XF 2.2 & Evoque We’ve had cause to take Jaguar Land Rover (well, Jaguar) to task lately for disappointing sales, particularly in the US and the UK. So it seems only fair, after dishing out disapprobation, that we should balance that with a story about a decent set of sales figures for JLR in September, especially in the face of weakening sales from other manufacturers in the UK. Unsurprisingly – although how long it will last is debatable – China was the strongest performer for Jaguar, certainly in percentage terms, with a rise of 156 per cent for Jaguar and 85 per cent for Land Rover and year on year figures up 60 per cent.

Car crash revealed as parents’ biggest fear

Parents of youngsters aged 16-25 are more worried about them being in a car crash than anything else – above becoming drug addicts or being unable to find a job. A poll by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) found that 62% of parents were worried about their kids being involved in a car accident. Less than a third, however, were worried about them taking illegal drugs or taking up smoking.