A series of dates for motor safety talks in 2010 have been revealed.

One such meeting will take place on March 2nd 2010 as Paul Clark, the minister for road safety, will launch the Fleet Safety Forum’s national conference.

Entitled the Best of the Best conference it will focus on policies and procedure in relation to work crashes.

A number of fleet practitioners will be asked to speak after demonstrating success in June of this year at the Fleet Safety Forum Awards for Excellence. Names will be confirmed as the event draws closer.

The Best of the Best conference will be sponsored by Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance.

Marc Wanless, underwriter of motor fleet for the sponsors, said: "The current economic climate presents a number of challenges and operating an efficient, safe fleet is more crucial than ever before."

He added that event will give fleet managers an opportunity to find out about best practices.

Mitsui Sumitomo claims to adopt an approach of mitigating exposure in order to save on costs and reduce losses.

Some new Skoda car parts have brought about the Skoda Superb Estate.

Certain aspects of the new model mirror the manufacturer’s Superb hatchback, such as the engine choices and trim levels.

The car is said to be available in Elegance, SE and S models, with all engines benefiting from direct fuel injection.

As the Superb Estate sports can be bought in either twin-clutch DSG gearbox or manual on either a four or two-wheel drive, the manufacturer believes it will have widespread appeal.

The Estate has the biggest boot in its class and lights in the tailgate, however, a third boot LED light can be removed – due to being magnetic – for use as a torch.

Estates are set to go on sale in the UK next year and will come at a premium of £1,150 more than compared to the hatchback.

It is hoped that the vehicle will account for a third of Superb sales in 2010.

Skoda claims that 98 per cent of its car owners would recommend the brand to a friend.

Do you need any Rover or Toyota car parts? According to one professional, motorists are not keeping up with essential car maintenance.

The cutbacks are apparently stemming from the challenges drivers are facing on their finances since the economic downturn.

In a recent survey carried out by the Glass’s guide, it was revealed that nearly 46 per cent of respondents had chosen to put off necessary vehicle care.

Andy Carroll, managing director at the organisation, said: "While it is inevitable that some consumers will respond to deteriorating economic conditions by cutting back … it is concerning that scheduled services and tyre purchases are being deferred."

The representative added that neglecting to take proper care of your vehicle could have repercussions, as future buyers generally want to see a car’s full service history.

He also noted that motorists may be risking their vehicle’s warranty cover too.

The Glass’s guide provides a used car valuation service.

Volkswagen has introduced a new boosting element to its MkVI Golf GTi.

The firm states the conversion gives the vehicle an enhanced weight and power ratio when compared to the Golf R four-wheel drive.

Superchip is responsible for the MkVI ECU remapping, being a well-established specialist in this field.

The work the company has carried out means an increase of the MkVI Golf GTi’s power by 25 bhp at peak. It also facilitates torque jumps at 47 lb ft.

By carrying out thorough analysis of the parameters of the vehicle’s engine management, the technicians at Superchip were able to see where a number of compromises within the Golf GTi’s MED17 ECU could have been made, which may have involved looking at Volkswagen spares.

The company then set about manufacturing an optimised calibration for the GTi, validated by Superchip’s own chassis dynamometer alongside, going out on the road to test the car.

As a manufacturer Volkswagen prides itself on producing the Beetle and the Golf – which it states is a "modern masterpiece".

Volkswagen and Porsche have reported profitable figures for 2009.

Porsche AG recorded revealed a profit margin of over ten per cent whiles Volkswagen’s was 2.4 per cent.

Reported figures relate to August 1st 2008 to July 31st 2009 for Porsche and January to June 2009 for Volkswagen, with the combined operating results standing at €1.9 billion euros (£1.7 billion).

Newly appointed Prof Dr Martin Winterkorn Porsche SE’s chief executive officer highlighted that both of the businesses have remained profitable in the economic downturn.

The company results before taxes for Porsche SE stood at minus 4.4 billion euros, whereas in 2008 this figure was 8.6 billion.

According to German commercial regulations, the full net profit will be paid to shareholders.

The revenue reserves currently stand at 8.23 million euros after it was necessary to take away one billion euros, the company stated.

In 1900 the first Lohner-Porsche electric was revealed at the Paris World Fair.

If you have a crash you may need Mazda car spares but the manufacturer states you are likely to remain safe after its recent award.

The Zoom Zoom brand has been issued five-star status in Euro NCAP safety tests, it reported yesterday (November 25th).

It was the Maszda3 model that came up trumps for the manufacturer in the European New Car Assessment Programme.

This does not mark the first vehicle in the Mazda range to receive the award as the Mazda6 has been able to boast the title since February of this year.

NCAP’s evaluation system scores vehicles in a number of key areas including adult occupant protection, pedestrian protection, safety assist and child protection.

Jujiro Matsuda established the Mazda brand back in 1920, making tools.

It celebrated 75 years since the making its first three-wheel truck in 2006.

The firm’s first car – the Mazda R360 Coupe two-door passenger – was not released until 1960 with a four-door car being produced two years later.

According to the safety experts at NCAP, surveys show that car safety is a top priority for consumers.

The comment followed on from the organisation revealing the names of 12 companies who were successful in achieving the five-star award in safety.

Euro NCAP’s secretary general Dr Michiel van Ratingen had particular praise for one car manufacturer.

He said: "We congratulate Chevrolet. The company has bounced back with two cars that have a commendable level of safety performance."

Yet just three years ago Chevrolet’s Aveo did not score highly – receiving just a one-star rating. Since 2006 it is apparent that the company has invested in improvements in car safety.

The Cruze came out with a top five-star rating for this year’s NCAP score and achieved 96 per cent in the adult occupant test.

Chevrolet is currently participating in the scrappage scheme for anyone wanting try out a new model.

Dr van Ratingen added that consumers should check the Eurocap website before they go to buy a new motor and not make assumptions about the safety levels provided by a particular brand year-on-year.

It does not have to be bad weather for you to experience a road accident on a bike, warns the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

The organisation released a statement today (November 26th) which claims most motorcycle accidents happen when the weather is fine and during the daytime.

Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the company, said: "Sundays are the most dangerous day of the week, with 20 per cent more accidents happening."

He added: "Sundays have mostly leisure riders on the roads who travel much longer distances than the average weekday rider."

The representative admitted that the news would be a revelation to many who are under the impression that more accidents are expected in bad weather conditions but he stated at these times, or when it is dark, many bikers choose not to go out.

The IAM aims to improve road safety and the standards of driving.

New safety standards have been reached by Chevrolet.

The manufacturer is celebrating success with its Cruze model which triumphed the NCAP tests with a five-star rating.

Chevrolet’s motor scored the maximum total of points for the frontal offset collision and the side impact testing.

Its five-star status was confirmed with a total scoring of 79 points out of a possible 100.

Wayne Brannon, president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe, said: "We are pleased with the Cruze’s outstanding safety rating.

"Today’s results confirm that the Cruze offers benchmark safety. This complements its bold styling, excellent ride and handling, and outstanding value for money."

Prior to this European rating, the Cruze was able to boast the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) five-star crash safety rating for Australia alongside that of the Chinese New Car Assessment Program (C-NCAP).

Chevrolet claims to offer practical design in all of its cars – whether it is the spacious Captiva or the Matiz, for around town driving.

The end of this year will see a price rise on the cars from one major manufacturer.

Ford has revealed that it will increase the price of its vehicles in December, so if you are looking for the best price for Ford car spares, 247 Spares could help.

Nigel Sharp, Ford of Britain managing director, said: "To combat the continuing weakness of the pound against the euro, Ford has reduced costs across its entire UK business, including personnel reductions in its central operation and across its dealer network."

He added that despite taking such measures it remains necessary to increase the cost of its vehicles later this year, to ensure that its business is viable.

Prices are expected to go up on average by 2.7 per cent which translates to an increase of £250 to £500 on models like the Fiesta and Focus.

The increases will also have an impact on van costs for Ford vehicles.

Ford continues its relationship with BP – aiming to come up with technological developments in order to benefit both energy and motor customers by a mutual cooperation.