The motor industry is staging a minor rally but is not out of the woods yet.

In the current economic climate, the motor industry is all about unit sales and Ford grew its January car sales figures by almost 1,200 units, according to figures released today (5 February).

Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus continued as the first and second-best sellers in the UK market. In third, fourth and fifth place respectively were Vauxhall Corsa, VW Polo and Vauxhall Astra.

Newspapers  and television are set to undergo some far-reaching changes this year, as new technologies pave the way for changes in how people receive and access information. Accountants BDO point to a continuing shift online by the media industry.

Partner and head of TMT in the firm’s Southampton office, Paul Anthony told ModernSelling.com: ‘Newspapers are having to revise their business models in order to meet changing consumer demands.’

He added: ‘This requires investment and long-term planning. The stronger well-capitalised players will be able to re-invent their offerings while the weaker, more highly leveraged players will find it more difficult. It may also be the case that, if we have a change of government in 2010, a new and more flexible regulatory regime could alter the playing field.’

Amid signs of economic recovery, 2010 will be the year when mobile operators worldwide protect their existing revenue channels while exploring new ones, says technology company Synchronica’s chief executive officer Carsten Brinkschulte.

Data services will play an even more important role in 2010, supported by an enlarged mobile messaging landscape that, in addition to SMS, will also encompass mobile email, mobile social networking, and instant messaging (IM). Contrary to many analysts’ belief, the device platform landscape will not consolidate, but further diversify as new platforms like Maemo, LiMo and Android take their market share.

As the battle between operators, device manufacturers, and internet portals for value-added services (VAS) intensifies, operators will play their strongest card - their billing relationship with the user.

Despite continuing uncertainty there are signs that parts of the economy are beginning to emerge from the doldrums, though there has been a profound shift in the way business is done in a number of sectors.

One of the major trends is the continuing shift to online retailing. Grocer Ocado recently reported record sales for the Christmas period. The Hatfield-based online grocery retailer also supplies a delivery service for Waitrose web customers.