Jaguar Ski Rack Ski Halter Jlm11989 on 2040-parts.com

Kia, Chrysler, VW set pace as December sales advance 9 percent

Kia, Chrysler and Volkswagen posted some of the strongest sales gains for December as the industry closed out 2011 on a high note. Automotive News estimates December volume was up 9 percent to 1.24 million from a year earlier--in line with analysts' forecasts. Total industry sales were projected at 12.78 million for the year, up from 2010's total of 11.6 million and the 27-year low of 10.4 million in 2009.

Magna gets Vauxhall and Opel

Canadian parts maker Magna takes control of Opel and Vauxhall The German Government is to supply funding of €1.5 billion to help the new Opel/Vauxhall operation to finance the transition. The news hasn’t come a moment too soon, as the US Government had given GM only until Monday to resolve the issue before the likely bankruptcy of GM. The Opel/Vauxhall operation will now be ring-fenced from the insolvency of its former parent in the US and will become ana entity in its own right.

Ferrari F450: Last one to be auctioned Sunday to benefit earthquake victims

In an auction featuring some of the rarest, fastest and most head-turning Ferraris ever, a brand-new F430 may be the show-stealer. The Prancing Horse said Wednesday that it is auctioning off the very last F430 to roll off the Maranello production lines at the end of the year to raise money to rebuild the central Italian region of Abruzzo, which was devastated by an earthquake on April 6. Ferrari will work with local authorities to distribute the funds.