What the papers say: December 2

What car-related news is making the national press today? Find out here with our daily review.

Aston Martin to lose 600 jobs
The luxury sports car maker is to cut 600 jobs, almost a third of its entire workforce, reports the Financial Times. Aston Martin's announcement comes just days after Rolls Royce revealed it would be shedding jobs and closing its plant temporarily. Aston Martin's sales have fallen 25% for the year to October.
Financial Times

Job cuts at Halfords
Car accessories store Halfords is to lose around 250 jobs. The chain, which has 450 stores, said 200 cuts would be made from retail staff, with a further 50 posts going at the company's head office in Redditch, Worcestershire.
Daily Mail

Pressure mounts on Lord Mandelson
With the announcement that Aston Martin is to cut 600 jobs, Lord Mandelson is coming under increased pressure to act on car makers' pleas for a state bail-out, reports the Daily Mail. The paper also points out that another 18000 jobs hang in the balance as America's 'big three', Chrysler, Ford and GM fight for survival. GM, which employs over 5000 workers at Vauxhall in the UK, is said to be keeping open the option of filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection if a US state aid package is not forthcoming.
Daily Mail

Where the jobs could go next
The Daily Mail lists the threat to UK car jobs:
Ford 13000 jobs
Nissan 5140 jobs
Vauxhall (GM) 4989 jobs
Honda 4800 jobs
Daily Mail

Traffic wardens get police guard
Council bosses in Sheffield are paying 56 per hour for police to act as bodyguards for traffic wardens, according to the The Daily Telegraph. The police help to reduce threats and abuse to the wardens, reports the paper.
The Daily Telegraph

Record amount of breath tests
The Christmas period will result in more motorists being breathalysed than ever before, according to a report in The Daily Telegraph. The Association of Chief Police Officers has warned that all types of roads and all times of day will be targeted.
The Daily Telegraph

X Tracker
Simon Cowell's lawyers have sent warning letters to newspapers, after a tracking device was found on the X Factor boss's Rolls Royce. The letter pointed out that using such a device in this way was illegal and could lead to prosecution.
Guardian

Ford may sell Volvo
The Guardian covers the story that Ford may be forced to sell Swedish marque Volvo as part of a strategic review of its entire business. The move follows reports of further falls in new car sales across Europe. The hardest-hit country was Spain, with sales falling by almost 50% in November. Sales in Japan fell 18%, with a drop of 8.6% in South Korea. UK sales figures are due to be released later this week.
Guardian

iBreathalyser
A new gadget has been released that converts an iPod into an instant breathalyser, according to The Sun. The new gizmo costs 55.
The Sun

Montgomerie avoids ban
Golfer Colin Montgomery avoided a driving ban yesterday because he is scared of flying. The report in The Sun says Montgomerie was caught driving at 70mph in a 40mph zone.
The Sun

Automotive supply chain hit
The depth of the problems facing global car manufacturing was yesterday highlighted by the news that shares in Lonmin, a miner of materials used in exhaust systems, fell to a nine-year low. The shares plunged as new car sales data for Japan, South Korea and Europe revealed more dire figures.
Times