Civic/crx/integra Short Shifter/red Stitch Perorated Boot/chrome Weighted Knob on 2040-parts.com

BMW makes 1,000 workers permanent

AROUND 1,000 agency workers at car giant BMW are to be made permanent employees, guaranteeing job security for years. The change, being made in two phases, was warmly welcomed by the Unite union, describing it as a great Christmas present. The announcement covers workers across a number of BMW sites including the Mini plant in Oxford, pressings plant in Swindon and Hams Hall engine site near Birmingham.

Lexus LF-Ch preview

Following on from a front three-quarter sketch released to the press last week, Lexus has given us a good view of its Premium Compact Concept from the rear - along with its proper name: LF-Ch. Equipped with Lexus's Hybrid Drive system, this BMW 1 Series rival will be able to run on both electric and gasoline when it goes on sale in 2010. The car's full volumes, raked-back windscreen and aggressive new variation on Lexus's corporate nose are visible from the sketch, while the new rear image confirms that the newcomer will combine the looks of a coupe with the practicality of four doors.

The Jaguar XE is an aluminum 3-series fighter

Jaguar didn't unveil its BMW 3-series-fighter at the Geneva motor show, but it did christen it. The aluminum-heavy sport sedan will be called the XE when it begins its global rollout in 2015. The XE isn't exactly a surprise.