The theme stated so boldly over its opening bars may yet recur inexorably through the Classic season, but some ears are beginning to pick up a developing counterpoint. Having already won the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas, horses trained by Aidan O'Brien dominate betting on both Epsom Classics. Yesterday, however, the Ballydoyle trainer brought an odds-on favourite to York for an unceremonious thrashing in the last major trial for the Investec Oaks, and today he will find out where he stands with the two colts closest to Camelot in the Derby market. If either Bonfire or Mandaean remotely approaches the performance of The Fugue, certainly, O'Brien will know that horses trained on British soil do not intend to cede its most precious turf without a fight.

Chevrolet has released a picture of its forthcoming new small SUV, the Trax, which is expected to be seen in the metal for the first time at the Paris Motor Show in September.

Engine: 1.7-litre four-cylinder diesel, turbocharged
Power: 130 PS at 4,000rpm
Torque: 300 Nm between 2,000 and 2,500 rpm
Fuel consumption (combined cycle): 62.7mpg
CO2 emissions: 117g/km
Top speed: 124mph
Acceleration (0-62 mph): 9.4 seconds
Price: from £16,725

General Motors has decided to call its forthcoming baby car Adam, a name that will resonate immediately with German buyers but probably leave their British counterparts scratching their heads.

Chevrolet's Aveo is at its most battle-ready in its greenest form

Ford hiked its chief executive's pay package by 11 per cent last year to $29.5m (£18m), even though the US car giant fell short on some key company targets.

For the first time in two and a half years, Tiger Woods is on top of an American leaderboard going into the weekend. In 2009 it would have seemed so simple. Now it is simply so enthralling.

General Motors and PSA Peugeot Citroen will seek to squeeze a joint $2bn annually from a global platforms-to-purchasing alliance, but the savings will not be fully realized for five years.

Shares in PSA Peugeot Citroen, the No 2 car maker in Europe, surged yesterday on news that it was discussing an alliance with General Motors of the US, which could include the two companies taking stakes in each other.

Shares in PSA Peugeot Citroen, the second largest car maker in Europe, surged yesterday on news that it was discussing an alliance with General Motors (GM) of the US, which could see the two companies take stakes in each other.

Saab ran out of room for manoeuvre yesterday when its Dutch owner filed for bankruptcy, calling time on a nine-month battle to rescue the struggling Swedish marque.

The Swedish car manufacturer Saab faced another escalation in its financial woes yesterday after a court-appointed administrator asked for the removal of its protection from bankruptcy.

US Outlook: Every now and again I cuddle up with some old newspapers from 2008, just to remind myself I am not crazy.