Car and Van News

Renault and Nissan supremo Carlos Ghosn admits he is preparing both brands for “three difficult years”.

According to Ghosn continuing uncertainty clouding the economies of the eurozone, especially those of the Mediterranean countries, will hit the two brands.

Registrations of new cars rose again in October as the UK market bucked the slides of mainland Europe.

The rise of more than 12 per cent has resulted in industry bosses again revising their 2012 full-year predictions upwards, to more than 2 million units.

What is it: Load-lugging estate version of family car

Key features: Much bigger boot space, 1.7 diesel engine

Industry chiefs have again increased their predictions over the size of the 2012 new car market after another strong performance in July.

Registrations grew by 9.3 per cent, not only the fifth successive monthly rise but the biggest of the year.

Mercedes-Benz has revealed that the power-packed AMG version of its new CLS Shooting Brake is to become reality.

A prototype of the CLS 63 AMG made a surprise appearance, complete with camouflage, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this month.

Economic woes do not appear to be keeping buyers out of the car showrooms – registrations of new cars in the UK were up 3.5 per cent in June.

The fourth monthly rise in succession saw 189,514 cars registered, 2.5 per cent ahead of June figures for the previous three years.

New car registrations in the UK climbed 3.3 per cent in April, the largest increase seen so far in 2012.

Private registrations rocketed almost 15 per cent, prompting industry bosses to revise upwards their full-year predictions.