Standard Motor Products Cpa278 Choke Pulloff (carbureted) on 2040-parts.com

Holden to stop making cars in Australia

Fresh from the news that General Motors (GM) will be pulling its Chevrolet brand out of mainstream markets in Europe, the automotive giant has now confirmed that its Australian subsidiary, Holden, will stop making cars Down Under by the end of 2017. It’s further bad news for GM, but even more so for the 2,900 Australian people who are set to lose their jobs as a result of the closure. And it’s a sad and disappointing end for the famous Holden marque, which can trace its history back as far as 1856.

Volkswagen debuts Jetta TDI Value Edition

There was already a lot to like about the diesel Volkswagen Jetta TDI CleanDiesel, most of it having to do with fewer fillups, and so for 2014 Volkswagen is debuting a new Jetta TDI Value Edition that slices more than $2,000 off the price of entry. And speaking of the price of entry, it is now $22,115 for Volkswagen's smallest diesel sedan in the U.S. Yes, it seems Volkswagen has finally created a car for automotive journalists as well as members of the biodiesel-brewing crowd who are tired of fixing old Mercedes-Benz W123 station wagons from the 1970s, though we probably have the diesel Chevrolet Cruze to thank for the appearance of this particular model.

Volvo XC60 R-Design revealed

Volvo has released details of an R-Design version of the XC60 Still, more power isn’t everyone’s cup of tea – particularly at the moment – but many buyers like a bit of ‘butchness’ in their cars. And to be completely fair to Volvo, although they haven’t messed with the oily bits for more oomph, they have played with the suspension for more feel. Volvo say the XC60 has improved steering (thanks to ‘Direct Steering Gear’), stiffer damping and a more robust chassis.