The poor condition of UK roads is being exposed as warmer weather begins to clear away the ice and snow, according to campaign website Potholes.co.uk.

Many users of the group’s site are describing how they have damaged tyres, wheels and suspension following the icy weather.

The organisation provides council contact details for motorists to report potholes and detailed advice on how to make a claim for damage, and the body’s website has seen a surge in visitor numbers during January.

Duncan McClure Fisher of Warranty Direct, which set up the group two years ago, commented: "Sadly, we’re hearing the same stories again and again – people are hitting craters caused by icy conditions and already poor road quality, and they are having to pay out for new wheels and tyres."

Earlier this week, independent auto parts retailer Protyre stressed the damage that potholes and kerbs concealed by the snow can cause to wheels and tyres as a result of cold winter weather.

New car registrations completed through the scrappage scheme are heading towards 290,000, it has been revealed.

According to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), new registrations through the programme totalled 284,479 between May and December 2009 and the scheme accounted for 20.9 per cent of all new car registrations in December.

SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt commented that the incentive has provided an important boost to the UK motor industry and increased confidence among consumers.

"The scheme will continue until the end of February and there is still an opportunity for around 85,000 more consumers to take advantage of it," he added.

"Alongside the economic benefits, the scheme has helped to promote the take-up of cleaner, safer and more fuel efficient vehicles."

Last week, studies by PricewaterhouseCoopers Autofacts suggested that new car sales in the UK will fall during 2010 but the drop is unlikely to be as dramatic as some commentators have predicted.

Ford has pledged to pay for the VAT increase imposed by the government this month.

The government reduced VAT to 15 per cent in 2008 in an attempt to combat the recession, but as of New Year’s Day it has been back at its previous level of 17.5 per cent.

Ford, though, has said it will paying for this increase on all its car ranges until the end of February.

The manufacturer has seen 35,500 customers helped by the government’s scrappage scheme offers of at least £2,000 and hopes that the latest offer will boost new year sales.

Nigel Sharp, Ford Britain managing director, said: "Ford is offering some relief from the cold, tough start to 2010 by delaying the VAT impact on its new car prices to March."

He added that, when coupled with the current scrappage deals, the move would act as an incentive to visit a Ford retailer in the near future.

A car thief in Somerset was recently arrested after leaving his tracks in the snow, leading the police straight to where he lived.

But TRACKER, manufacturer of stolen vehicle recovery systems, has advised motorists to stay vigilant during the arctic weather as other thieves can be more devious.

The manufacturer suggests not leaving car keys in the ignition while waiting for the windows to defrost without staying with the vehicle.

All possessions should be kept safely locked away or with the driver at all times and cars should be parked in a secure area, the company advises.

Stuart Chapman, police relationship manager, urged motorists to stay in their car when the keys are in the ignition.

He said: "It is tempting to leave the keys in the ignition and the engine running in order to quickly heat up the car or defrost the windows, but for opportunistic car thieves, this can act as a green light to steal your vehicle."

Drivers should also be vigilant as to the upkeep of their vehicle in the winter as the cold temperatures can lead to extra wear on tyres, windscreen wipers and car batteries, according to tyre retailer Protyre.

Protyre is warning drivers of the dangers of the less-than-obvious affects of the current freezing weather on windscreen wipers and car batteries as well as tyres.

Car tyres and wheels can be damaged by potholes and kerbs concealed by the snow, but the snow can also destroy wipers if they become frozen to the windscreen.

The independent tyre retailer suggests that motorists do not try and start their wipers if they are frozen as this can blow a fuse and cause the wiper motor to seize. Snow and ice should be cleared from the windscreen before wipers are used as the rubber on them can be degraded if they are used in this situation.

Cold temperatures can also slow the chemical reaction that generates car batteries. This can cause them to run down and fail quicker than usual.

Protyre recently advised drivers that hitting a kerb, even at low speeds, can lead to premature wear or even failure of a tyre and this risk is exacerbated by the wintry conditions seen by the UK recently.

Ford has used the occasion of the 2010 North American International Auto Show to unveil its next generation Focus.

With production scheduled to begin in both Europe and North America later this year, the US manufacturer has confirmed that the revamped Focus will spearhead its new range of C-class vehicles.

Delegates at the Detroit event treated to a preview of the new Focus learned that, as well as a sportier and more dynamic appearance, which includes a striking front end, a stylish interior and a chic driving console, the new Focus benefits from the same technology as the widely-praised new Ford Fiesta.

As such, in addition to high-level performance, the Focus will also boast EcoBoost fuel-efficient technology in its four cylinder turbocharged engines, allowing for fuel consumption savings of up to ten or 20 per cent on all outgoing models, while there will be 80 per cent compatibility with Ford car parts.

Unveiling the new model, Ford president and chief executive Alan Mulally explained that the company’s new C-car range will give customers "an affordable product offering quality, fuel efficiency, safety and technology beyond their expectations".

The Ford Focus was introduced in Europe in 1998, with a US launch following two years later.

Chevrolet has unveiled the latest additions to its range of smaller cars at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

Influenced by European designs, the US manufacturer used the occasion of the high-profile event to unveil an updated model of its Cruze, alongside the all-new Aveo RS.

On the back of strong sales in both Asia and Europe, the revamped Chevrolet Cruze now boasts a range of cutting-edge features, including Bluetooth, USB and satellite navigation capabilities, in addition to more interior space than its rivals in the growing US compact car market.

However, it is under the bonnet where the Cruze is expected to lead the way, boasting a highly fuel-efficient four cylinder turbocharged engine with variable valve timing, as well as Chevrolet’s standard features.

Meanwhile, the Aveo RS on show at the NAIAS is similarly fuel efficient, yet has been given a sportier appearance, for example through the fitting of uninterrupted body side lines, 19-inch alloy wheels and an ‘aggressive front fascia’ as the company aims for the youth market.

"Our intent with the Aveo RS show car is to demonstrate Chevrolet’s vision and design potential for a small car we think customers will love," general manager Jim Campbell said.

Founded in Detroit back in 1911, Chevrolet was acquired by GM in 1917.

Luxury automaker Rolls Royce has said that 2009 was another successful year for the company.

The group said that it sold 1002 cars over the course of the year, with demand for its Ghost model "exceptional", while sales of the Phantom series remained strong with the four-door versions proving the most popular among consumers.

Chief executive Tom Purves commented that the company has retained its position at the top of the super luxury automotive market and stressed that much of this success was down to the group’s highly skilled and dedicated workforce.

He added: "This is a tremendous result and a particularly strong performance considering the challenging economic environment that all manufacturers faced in 2009."

The company went on to say that around 85 per cent of Ghost customers are new to the brand.

Earlier this month an old Rolls Royce owned by Eric Morcambe was given a new lease of life as a wedding limousine.

New car sales in the UK will fall during 2010 but the decline will not be as much as some commentators have feared, it has been claimed.

According to PricewaterhouseCoopers Autofacts, UK new car demand will fall marginally in 2010 to around 1.9 million units this year.

Auto expert for the company Michael Gartside commented that the government should now ensure that credit availability improves in the face of VAT rises to the 17.5 per cent the tax stood at in 2008.

He added: "Fleet demand, which was weak in 2009, will start to recover this year. We also believe that private demand won’t be as negatively affected by the ending of the scrappage scheme as many feel."

Figures released earlier this week by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders indicate full year new car registrations were down 6.4 per cent to 1,994,999 units in 2009, the lowest level since 1995.

Automaker Toyota is unveiling a new version of its top-selling Yaris as the company heads into the New Year.

The news follows an announcement by the group that it was fourth in the overall manufacturer rankings, posting a share of 5.14 per cent and finishing the year ahead of rivals including Peugeot, Nissan and Honda.

Toyota stated that its new Yaris delivers low emissions and superior fuel economy with revised styling details and specifications to create greater owner appeal.

According to the group, the features mean the vehicle enters 2010 in a stronger market position.

In addition, the organisation pointed out that the 1.33 Dual VVT-i engine with Stop and Start gives the car greater power and torque than its leading competitor models, which include the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo, while also posting better emissions and fuel economy figures of 120 grammes per km and 55.4 miles per gallon.