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Obama calls for shared sacrifice in auto bailout

President-elect Barack Obama says he wants to keep tough conditions on automakers that get federal loans. The companies must develop sustainable business models because it would be unacceptable "to keep them on their lifeline through taxpayer dollars in perpetuity," Obama told The Washington Post. Obama said industry restructuring will require "everybody, from labor to management to creditors to shareholders, giving something up." His comments contradict suggestions that the new administration will relax federal loan agreements reached last month with General Motors and Chrysler LLC, possibly with softer demands on the UAW.

Smart FourJoy concept

The Smart FourJoy concept will preview next year's all-new four-seat model at the Frankfurt motor show. Unlike the ForFour (2004-06) that paid only lip service to the brand's iconic city car, this promises to be a true Smart, with the familiar Tridon safety shell, minimal overhangs and plastic panels. At 3,494mm long it's around a meter longer than the original two-seat version but still significantly shorter than a Mini.

Honda Civic Tourer (2014) officially revealed

We’ve already driven a heavily disguised prototype, but now Honda has revealed its new Civic Tourer estate car in full production-ready guise. The first Civic load-lugger since the Aerodeck. Set to go on sale in the UK early in 2014, it’s promising a class-competitive price.