Stunt driving

A friend forwarded me these pics of some crazy Arabs doing stunt driving.

Really dangerous and I don't recommend anyone from following their example. However, I go to admit, the driver is quite skilled.

Tata to create 700 jobs in the UK

Indian car maker, Tata recently announced a £ 700 million investment plan with the creation of 600 jobs at Jaguar Land Rover. It is also launching a new programme to recruit new graduate engineers in September. That's great news for the Midlands.

I have no idea why but unlike other companies, there is absolutely no news about this in both the Jaguar or the Land Rover sites. Only got to read bout it in the local newspaper.

McCain to issue Clean Car Challenge

Republican John McCain want's to be seen as environmentally friendly. He said that he would issue a Clean Car Challenge to U.S. automakers. If he was elected, he would propose "A $300 million prize for the development of a battery package that has the size, capacity, cost and power to leapfrog the commercially available plug-in hybrids or electric cars."

Read the Reuters report "McCain calls for $300 million prize for car battery".

Ford to reduce production of bigger vehicles

Hit by falling demand for their bigger vehicles - namely pickups and sport utility vehicles, Ford will produce 25% fewer vehicles in the third quarter of this year as compared to last year.

They also announced the delay in launching their new F-150 pick-up truck. It will now come out in late fall.


The 105th Anniversary Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 bears the Bar & Shield logo on the center caps of its 22" polished forged aluminium wheels. It comes in two distinctive paint treatments (shown in Black monotone exterior). From the ford website.

Read the report in CNN Money: Ford delays launch of new F-150
The BBC Report: Ford 'to make fewer big vehicles'

Lancer Sportback to be unvieled at Paris Motor Show

The new Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback will be unveiled at the Le Mondial de l'Automobile 2008 (Paris Motor Show 2008). The show is being held in Halls 1-8 of the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from October 2 to 19 and will be open for the general public on 4th October.

The Lancer Sportback is a 5-door sport hatchback with a unique inverted-slant nose and trapezoidal grille. It will be available 1.5-liter (109PS), 1.8-liter (143PS) gasoline engines and a 2.0-liter (140PS) turbo diesel engine versions.


Lancer Sportback (Europe spec.)

Other cars that will be on display at the Mitsubishi stand include the Lancer Ralliart and Lancer Sportback Ralliart models.


Lancer Sportback Ralliart (Europe spec.)


Lancer Ralliart (Europe spec)

These models are powered by a turbocharged engine mated to Mitsubishi's Twin Clutch SST (Sport Shift Transmission) and delivering power to all four wheels through an Active Center Differential.

Job cuts at Aston Martin

Around 60 temporary workers at Aston Martin's Gaydon factory will lose their jobs later this month. Some of the staff that will lose their jobs said that "they were given less than three weeks' notice"

Read the report here: Jobs axe falls at Aston Martin Gaydon base

Asian brands beat American brands in the US

According to a report in the International Herald Tribune, the three big US car makers, namely, General Motors, Ford Motor and Chrysler, combined sold less than (44.4 %) than the Asian brands - 10 brands in total (48.1 %) for the first time ever. The data was provided by the Autodata Corporation.

Amazingly, Toyota overtook GM in United States sales.

The drop in sales of pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles with growth in sales of compact cars show that consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about fuel economy of their cars.

Read the full report here: U.S. cars lose to Asian rivals for first time

Nissan to build new model at Sunderland plant

According to latest reports, Japanese carmaker Nissan will build a new compact car at its Sunderland plant in the UK. That is good news as it means more jobs. At present the Sunderland factory also makes the Note.

It also plans to move manufacturing of the Micra to Chennai in India.

According to Carlos Ghosn:

"By delivering on tough commitments, our employees at Sunderland have demonstrated our plant can be a globally competitive centre for the production of high-value products. We are encouraged by the proactive support shown by the British government to decide new products for the Sunderland plant."

Read the full report here: NISSAN ANNOUNCES NEW VEHICLE FOR SUNDERLAND PLANT

Safety test results for some family cars

Euro NCAP recently released the test results for seven cars in five different categories. The cars, which are targeted at consumers with families, include the Audi A4, Skoda Superb, Citroen Berlingo, Ford Kuga, the VW T5 Caravelle and two Superminis, the Hyundai i10 and the Seat Ibiza.

All of the cars received four stars in Child Occupant Protection. SO far, no car has received the maximum of 49 points or five stars.

The Child Occupant rating was introduced in November 2003 and is based on the evaluation of the manufacturer’s recommended child restraints for an 18-month infant and a 3-year old child.

For more information, go to www.euroncap.com.