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More than half of young drivers use smartphones while driving

Rex, Image Braker More than half of young drivers use their smartphone while driving, new research reveals. It’s a worrying sign that distractions behind the wheel are becoming more prevalent in an increasingly connected society. Despite almost 90% of young people claiming to get annoyed when they see someone else using a phone behind the wheel, 50% admit to reading text messages while driving.

Volvo Concept XC Coupe at Detroit Auto Show – previews the new Volvo XC90 (+ video)

The Volvo Concept XC Coupe (pictured) will debut at Detroit next month Volvo are heading to the Detroit Auto Show next month with the second of three concepts planned utilising their new scalable platform architecture which will underpin almost all future models – the Volvo Concept XC Coupe. The first of the three new concepts from Volvo came at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in September as the Volvo Concept Coupe – a new take on Volvo’s iconic P1800 – but this time we get a concept that points firmly at the new Volvo XC90, due in a year’s time as a 2015 model. We’ve already got some idea of what Volvo’s designers think the new XC90 should look like, but the styling cues on the Concept Coupe – and the teaser photos of the Concept XC Coupe (above) – give us a much clearer view of what Volvo are planning for one of their most successful cars.

September sales hint at improvement

A 10 percent increase in new-vehicle sales in September is sparking optimism that the year will have a strong finish. And analysts say that deals might get better over the next few months as Toyota and Honda finally recover from shortages caused by the earthquake that hit Japan in March. Those brands might increase spending on incentives to woo buyers back into their showrooms.