Vintage Champion Spark Plug on 2040-parts.com

Skoda Rapid & Rapid Spaceback GreenLine from £17,195

Skoda Rapid & Rapid Spaceback GreenLine (pictured) cost from £17,195 With the Skoda Rapid already on the market, and its sibling with a hatch – the Rapid Spaceback – about to launch, Skoda is introducing the emissions-friendly GreenLine versions of both cars. Both the saloon (liftback) and the Spaceback (hatch) get the same 89bhp 1.6 litre diesel driving the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. Despite differences in dimensions and weight, Skoda are claiming the same 99g/km emissions and 74.3mpg for both saloon and Spaceback, practically perfect if you’re a company car driver.

Who's Where: Amko Leenarts appointed Ford's Director of Global Interiors Design Strategy

Amko Leenarts has been appointed Director of Global Interiors Design Strategy at Ford Motor Company, effective from 1 June 2012. Leenarts will be tasked with developing the future interior design strategy for both the Ford and Lincoln brands worldwide, working alongside the company's global leadership team and reporting directly to J Mays, Group Vice President of Global Design and Chief Creative Officer at Ford Motor Company. He will be based in the company's Merkenich studio in Germany.

Flashback: Pontiac killed on April 27, 2009

It was precisely two years ago today--April 27, 2009--that Pontiac met its demise. In hindsight, the decision made a lot of sense for General Motors, which six weeks later would file for bankruptcy. But at the time, many enthusiasts were more than a bit upset that 80 years of Pontiac--once the third-best-selling brand in the United States--was set for the scrap yard.