New Meyle Ignition Control Unit, 191905351b on 2040-parts.com

Concept Car of the Week: Renault Altica (2006)

Back in 2006 Renault was still well into its design-leadership stride, if perhaps not for much longer. The Altica concept, shown at that year's Geneva motor show, showcased all the French brand had to offer at that time – a brilliantly brave, architectural interior, a style that could only be associated with its country of origin and an interior that thoroughly questioned and readdressed layout, control and format. It also served to preview the renaissance of the Shooting Brake that the industry is still experiencing.

New car ‘sales’ up over 10% in 2014

Sales of AFVs – like the Auris Hybrid – have grown over 50% The story of new car sales in the UK continues on its seemingly ever-upward path, with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reporting new car registrations in the UK up by over 10 per cent in the first half of 2014. A total of 1,287,265 new cars have been registered in the UK so far this year (although previous evidence would suggest a good 400,000 of those are dealer pre-reg cars), the highest figure since 2005. And as Alternatively Fuelled Vehicles (AFVs – those powered by anything other than a single fossil fuel source e.g.

Now the Germans say no to Volvo

As we’ve reported in the last few weeks, Ford has been trying its best to offload Volvo, the last of its ‘Prestige’ Euro marques. The Chinese looked to be the best bet, but it seems that that is going nowhere at the moment (the Chinese are probably waiting for Ford to get in to an even deeper mess with the hope of picking up Volvo for peanuts) and now its seems that Ford’s fire-sale has drawn more blanks. Now the Germans turn down the chance to own Volvo Der Spiegel reports that Daimler (Mercedes-Benz) boss Dieter Zetsche has revealed that Daimler has turned down the chance to buy Volvo, and has also revealed that BMW has had a good look, and reached the same decision.