Budget hits gas-guzzlers

By Ben Pulman Motor Industry 03 June 2007 02:00 Gordon Brown’s budget didn’t throw up too many surprises; after all, we expected him to take more money out of the motorist’s pocket. Below are the changes due over the next three years. An increase of 2p per litre this year, 2p in 2008-09, and 1.84p in 2009-10.

Chrysler 300

The Detroit Motor Show will see Chrysler unveil its 2011 300. Whilst benefiting from an extensive exterior refresh, the platform on which it is based remains unchanged, meaning that this 2011 model is little more than a face-lifted variant of the car that joined us in 2004. The exterior of the 300 loses some of its forbearer's sinister styling; its imposing face has been substituted in favor of a softer, more rounded style, intersected only by the muscular wheel arches.

Ford to cut Australian manufacturing in 2016

Ford Motor Co., saddled with high costs, falling sales and financial losses, will close Australian car and engine assembly plants in October 2016 after almost nine decades of manufacturing in the country. Ford, the smallest of the country's three manufacturers after Toyota Motor Corp. and General Motors, will shut its assembly plant in Broadmeadows in northern Melbourne and an engine plant in Geelong to the west of the city, Ford Australia CEO Bob Graziano said.