Good news on the horizon in 2010 as new models hit the showroom

Yeah baby! Make like Austin Powers in Aston Martin's new Cygnet mini car

Even the most optimistic car industry chiefs admit 2010 will be tough. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) predicts car sales in 2010 will fall to 1.77 million from around 1.95 million, as the effects of the recession bite even deeper.

But there’s good news on the horizon. A host of new cars to suit all pockets and tastes will be hitting showrooms in 2010, when an estimated 116 new models willbe available. 

Highlights include Jaguar’s stunning new flagship XJ saloon car from �52,000, available in April, just as BMW launches its 5-series (�27,555 to �49,440).

Or you could treat yourself to the new ‘baby’ Rolls-Royce Ghost, which goes on sale in January from a mere �197,000. Wait 12 months and a sporty McLaren MP4-12C supercar could be yours next December. 

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That will set you back �160,000. For tighter budgets, Citroen’s C3 1.6 HDi 90 costs a more modest �15,200.

The new year is also a time to say farewell. The planned 2010 British International Motor Show was cancelled in March 2009 because of the recession.

The last rites have been read for Sweden’s Saab, which has struggled on for years.General Motors — which also owns Britain’s Vauxhall — finally pulled the plug after failing to find a buyer for the business.

But the name may live on —  under Chinese ownership. The technology and intellectual property rights have been sold to China’s Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings, which promises to invest millions to develop the brand there.

GM says Saab will continue to honour warranties, continue servicing and replace spare parts for owners.

Sweden's Volvo is also in the process of being sold off to the Chinese by its owner Ford.

BLAST YOUR WAY INTO 2010 WITH ASTON MARTIN

The new year sees the launch of Aston Martin’s new Cygnet mini car.

The company has just released the first official photographs and the car will be inshowrooms from the autumn.

The Cygnet is a collaboration with Japan’s Toyota and is based on its iQ 1.0 litre super-mini.

But it has certainly divided opinion — purists say it dilutes the Aston Martin brand cachet while fans describe it as a canny and clever way to lower Aston Martin’saverage CO2 emissions at a stroke and appear more environmentally friendly.

But to buy one for the �30,000-plus price tag, you must be an existing customer (a newAston Martin starts at �83,000).

If Mike Myers makes another Austin Powersmovie, I recommend the Cygnet —withrockets, machine guns and ejector seat. Let’s blast our way into 2010.

Yeah, baby!

NEW AUDI TO SELL LIKE HOT CAKES

Beat the Chancellor, the taxman and the economic blues in 2010. A frugal new Audi A3 1.6 TDi has CO2 emissions of just 99g/km — putting it in the zero tax band, which is exempt from the London Congestion Charge.

It has fuel economy of up to 74.3 miles to the gallon and costs �18,005 on the road.Yet it still has a top speed of 121 mph and can accelerate from rest to 62 mph in 11.4 seconds. It has just gone on sale. I predict it  will sell like hot cakes.

DON'T GO COLD IN AN EMERGENCY

Timing is all. Just as the big freeze hits Britain, the RAC launches its range of Mediwrap thermal blankets. 

They are designed to prevent hypothermia and are used by the emergency services.

They’re made to be stored in the boot for those emergencies when you break down in the middle of nowhere in subzero temperatures.