Performance Tool W1657c Deluxe Battery Tester on 2040-parts.com

GM's historic Willow Run plant closes

After 68 years of arming the nation and putting America on wheels, the Willow Run manufacturing plant in southeast Michigan closed on Thursday. The 5-million-square-foot powertrain plant, owned by Motors Liquidation Corp., the remnants of the former General Motors Corp., has fallen victim to GM's 2009 bankruptcy and subsequent restructuring. About 300 workers left at the plant will either “retire, transfer to another campus or go on layoff,” said Chris Lee, a spokesman for the reorganized General Motors Co.

New VW Golf Estate costs from £17,915

The New VW Golf Estate (pictured) costs from £17,915 in the UK The MK 7 VW Golf Estate arrived at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and tomorrow it goes on sale in the UK. The Golf Estate follows pretty much the same specification form as the Golf hatch, with all Estates (the entry level model is the Golf Estate S) getting Bluetooth, iPod connectivity, DAB with 5.8″ touchscreen, XDS E-Diff, and VW’s automatic post-collision braking system. Move up to the Golf Estate SE and you can add stuff like 16″ alloys, auto lights and wipers, driver alert, pre-crash, ADC with Front Assist and City Braking, driver profile selection and a set of reading lights in the back.

Gales and rain hit Christmas travel

PEOPLE WANTING to get home for Christmas face major disruption as strong gales and torrential rain threaten to cause travel chaos. Severe weather warnings are in place for much of the UK today until 9am on Christmas Eve, threatening to cause localised flooding across southern England and Wales. Strong winds are expected across much of the UK, with winds of up to 80mph in coastal areas of southern England, while Scotland is braced for sleet and snow storms and icy roads, the Met Office said.