K Source/fit System 66021m Door Mirror Passenger Side on 2040-parts.com

Crunch watch Jan 09: the auto industry in crisis

By Tim Pollard, Ben Pulman and Gareth Evans Motor Industry 30 January 2009 12:39 Friday 30 January 2009• Honda is about to close the Swindon factory for four months when Friday's shifts are finished; the shutdown will affect 2500 of the 3700 staff, who will receive full pay for two months and then 60% pay for the next eight weeks (BBC News)• Porsche has announced a sharp drop in sales and likely profits. It forecasts a 27% drop in 911, Boxster, Cayman and Cayenne sales to around 34,000 units in the six months to the end of January 2009 (Financial Times, subscription required)• Ford wants Washington to do more to stimulate car sales, after posting a record loss of nearly $14.6 billion earlier this week (Detroit News)• Honda's quarterly profit has crashed by 90% – forcing the Japanese car maker to halve its annual profit target (Detroit Free Press)Thursday 29 January 2009• Ford of Europe is a bright spot in the Blue Oval's quarterly results today, making $1.06 billion pre-tax profit in 2008 (up from $997m in 2007). It's the first profit of more than $1bn since 1989 (Automotive News Europe, subscription required)• Volvo suffered a 'disastrous 2008' with a pre-tax loss of $1.46bn.

Selling Dreams on the Shores of Lake Como

Thirty-two meticulous automobiles are set to be sold in one of Europe's most exclusive resort areas on the eve of one of the most selective concours in the world. The total bounty of the auction could top $35 million. Yet one car stands alone in a field of the immaculate and the historic: a 1955 Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta.

Honda CR-V Black Edition & White Edition launch

The Honda CR-V Black Edition (pictured) and White Edition launch The new Honda CR-V – a sensible type of SUV for car buyers who don’t need a ‘lifestyle’ SUV – has been with us for more than a year, so a limited edition model is called for to keep up footfall in Honda’s showrooms. That means Honda resorting to the tried and trusted route of monochrome specials with the CR-V Black Edition and CR-V White Edition with cosmetic tweaks for a bit more presence and extra kit for a bit more comfort. Both the Black Edition and White Edition get 19″ Orion alloys, exhaust finisher and privacy glass, a new patterned grill, tailgate spoiler, running boards and skid plates front and back.