Ford

As far as investments go, there's little doubt classic cars are one of the most fun. As it turns out, they're not too shabby as a financial decision too. According to a recent AXA XL Art & Lifestyle insurance report on the global classic car market from 2018 to 2019, classic cars have remained stable "against a backdrop of widespread depreciation in passion assets". Specifically, the AXA report noted "an escalation in demand for instant classic cars built over the last 10 years".

In the wake of Holden's exit from Australia, its major competitor, Ford, has seized the opportunity to reiterate its commitment to the market, telling the Federal Government it's planning further investment and suggesting it may absorb some of Holden's former staff. Yesterday, Holden's US parent company, General Motors, announced it would cease selling cars in Australia by 2021, with the closure of its local head office, test track and engineering and design locations planned for mid-year.

The Ford Puma ST has been spied almost completely free of disguise during cold weather testing in Sweden. Unsurprisingly it doesn't look particularly different to the regular Puma fitted with the ST-Line package (see the car at the bottom of this article). There are some subtle differences, though, including a front lip spoiler, twin round exhaust tips rather a single outlet with a rectangular finisher, and black wing mirror caps.

Some of the world's biggest car brands and drivers have pitched in to assist amid the Australian bushfire crisis by offering donations, cars and support to firefighters, wildlife and affected communities. UPDATE, 11/02/20: BMW has pledged $600,000 to bushfire recovery efforts. Details in story.

A handful of Ford GTs have started appearing on the used-car market, shortly after their two-year exclusion period ended. And they’re fetching big money. Ford originally sold the GT in 2017 with a US$450,000 price tag and a waiver stating the new owners would not sell their Blue Oval-badged supercars for two years. Now the ‘no sale’ period is over a handful of examples are beginning to appear at auction houses around the world.