I was talking to some friends from Texas the other day. You’ll be delighted to read that even in one of the richest states, folk are feeling the pinch. I did point out, perhaps a little brusquely, that they’d started the darned fiscal downturn by handing out 100 per cent mortgages to Mexicans who technically had no right to be in the USA in the first place. The Land of the Free gets a runny nose, we lil Yurpeans cop for double pneumonia - ’twas ever thus. There’s nothing like a little light stereotyping after a pint or six in a cosy saloon, with or without swing doors. Luckily both the Texans’ Colt 45s remained holstered.

Our PM, quiffy Dave, tells us breezily that 2012 promises to be another year of tight belts and persistent unemployment; matters in the Eurozone certainly aren’t helping.

But, but…every cloud and that…

Just a few short years ago it looked as though Jaguar and Land Rover would go the way of all flesh, but parent company Tata held its nerve, ramped up investment and is taking vast orders, not so much from old markets such as the US, but the burgeoning new ones - China and India. The company’s Merseyside plant is set to double in size and 1500

Seemingly Mini’s masters, BMW, can stretch the Mini brand in every direction. We’ve had the standard tin top and later its convertible cousin. Then came Clubman, Countryman and the awkward looking coupe; the new Roaster will be the first Mini in its 52 year history to have only two seats. The raggy roof folds flat where the seats would be in the coupe, on which it is styled. It ain’t cheap, with the boggo Cooper starting at over £18,000. The 211bhp Works job will rush you for £25K plus. If you want to stand out, be quick - the Mini Roadster will soon be ubiquitous, if all the others are anything to go by. Whatever next? A Mini crossover? Erm, yes. It’ll be called Paceman and it’s on its way. Too much already.

And finally…all pre-production niggles have been ironed out - and the factory in Malvern is full steam ahead meeting orders for the bonkers and loveable new Morgan 3-wheeler.

new jobs are to be created. This is marvellous and welcome news. These two iconic "British" brands are in good shape, thanks to Indian investment.

This means that by the year’s end, if spared, I will have driven, and some of you will have ordered, the new Jaguar C-X16, sure to be the global star car of the year. Predicted to come in at under £60K, the 3-litre supercharged V6 is boosted by a battery-powered electric motor. It looks stunning with a light sculptured aluminium body energised by 375bhp. Both in looks and performance the new Jaguar sports car is set to kick bottom all over the place. I most awfully want one; about as much as the peeps at Jaguar don’t want us to refer to it as the new E-Type.

If I can’t make the Jag mine, I think I’ll happily settle for the equally all new Alfa Romeo 4C, a concept version of which enjoyed top billing at the Geneva show last year. Alfa are busy turning this mid-engined two seater into production reality in time for the autumn. Think of Alfa’s jaw-dropping 8C Competitzione, shrink it a bit, add an extra gloop of gorgeousness and you have the 4C. Flank-lickingly, pant-wettingly, trouser-disturbingly pretty. Oh, and just 40,000 of your English pounds.

You’ll only have to wait until spring time should the new Mini Roadster be more your cup of petrol.