News in brief

Vehicles seized and scrapped by police are being used to build bridges in China. Greater Manchester Constabulary claims many of 10,000-plus cars crushed after crackdown on region's roads are being sold to Far East for £80 a tonne.

MILLIONTH Mazda 2 built. Bosses say supermini, known as Demio in Japan, has taken 10 years to hit mark. It's one of firm's longest-serving cars.

MORE than £1billion of tools stolen from vans across Britain, says insurer Zurich. The study shows 42 per cent of businesses had a vehicle broken into; similar number had reported van stolen.

SALES of 56-reg models in September down 0.7 per cent on same period last year, warns Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Overall new car market shows sales nearly four per cent down on 2005.

OVER half of S-Max buyers trade in premium brand BMW and Audi cars for all-new people carrier, according to top brass at Ford.