Ford is to close one of its main European factories in Belgium with the loss of more than 9,000 jobs.

Ford has said the size of its manufacturing base in Europe will be determined by how long the market remains subdued.

JUST when car-makers thought it safe to roll out new models in the wake of the economic crisis — 170 premiers are advertised for the Geneva Auto Show opening this week — a spike in fuel prices has cast a new shadow over the industry and redoubled attention on green technologies.