2005 F-150, F-250/f-350 Accessories Brochure on 2040-parts.com

Used car market pressure eases

AN INCREASE in the number of used cars coming into the market has “taken the edge off prices” and calmed some corners of the industry, according to used car pricing experts CAP. A greater influx of part-exchange cars arriving at dealers is partly responsible, and with many franchised dealers focusing for the time being on selling those vehicles, competition to acquire stock on the open market has decreased. CAP reports that the pressure has been lifted on some dealers who had become frustrated at how expensive it was becoming to source cars at fair prices.

For new CAFE rules, automakers place high-stakes tech bets

Game-changing 2015 fuel economy rules are forcing vehicle development teams to make high-stakes bets on expensive technologies--bets that will separate the winners from the also-rans. Not only do federal rules target a 2015 fleet average of 35.5 mpg, up from the current 27.5 mpg for cars and 23.1 mpg for light trucks; they force automakers to bet on different technology packages for each vehicle segment. Companies that do best at mixing technologies while keeping down costs will have an advantage when buyers wince at higher stickers.

MINI Roadster / Speedster spied

The MINI Roadster caught on a poster at a MINI 50th Event We had a whole heap of information earlier on this week on the MINI Coupe Concept that BMw are bringing to Frankfurt. But we had nothing on the MINI Roadster / Speedster, even though we know that MINI has produced a roofless version of the MINI Coupe. But a quick witted visitor managed to grab a snap of the poster you see above at a MINI 50th private party, which at least proves that the MINI Speedster is coming to the party in Frankfurt next month.