BMW Group's Global January Sales Down 24.2%, MINI Hit the Worst

If January's sales are anything to go by, 2009 will be an even more difficult year for automakers. The BMW Group that includes the BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands, sold 70,405 vehicles globally in January, down 24.2 percent from the same month last year (92,849 units). In the first month of 2009, the BMW brand reported 60,248 deliveries or 22.1% lower than January 2008. MINI performed even worse selling 10,120 vehicles, down 34.5 percent from last year (15,457 units).

Mugen Launches 'Zero-Lift' Aero Kit for 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid

Honda's official tuning division Mugen has released details on a new range of sport accessories for the Japanese-market 2010 Honda Insight that just went on sale in the Land of the Rising Sun. Mugen's package includes a full functional aerodynamic kit called 'Zero-Lift' that supposedly does what it's name suggests -create zero lift- and at the same time offers a sportier look to the Insight. The aero add-ons include a front spoiler with fog-lamps, a front sports grille, side skirts, ventilated visors, a large rear wing and a rear spoiler with integrated diffuser and a triangular shaped tailpipe. The Insight's looks are rounded out with a set of 15- or 16-inch alloy wheels.