EYES ON VOLVO: There is speculation that Renault might buy Volvo, according to Automotive News Europe.
Initially French newspaper La Tribune quoted an unnamed source that such an acquisition would be Renault chairman Louis Schweitzer's last coup before retiring from an executive role in 2005. A Renault spokesman said: "This article does not claim to be anything but speculative, so there's no point in denying it. But it's interesting." Volvo is part of Ford's Premier Automotive Group (PAG).
911 CABRIO: Porsche is to launch a cabriolet version of its 911 Carrera 4S. Using the same 3.6-litre 320bhp flat-six boxer engine in the Carrera 4 Cabrio, the four-wheel drive convertible should reach a maximum of 175mph and a 0-62mph of just 5.3 seconds. On sale in Britain for £69,930 (€86,200), it will be launched at this September's Frankfurt Motor Show. Meanwhile, the marque is on track for another year of record profit after sales of the new Cayenne SUV helped boost third quarter revenues. The Cayenne is expected to "more than compensate" for falling sales of the 911 and the Boxster.
MAZDA RECALL: Mazda is recalling more than 174,000 vehicles worldwide, including it's new 6, to repair faulty fog lamp parts. Mazda says faulty installation of fog lamps could cause a light bulb and its socket holder to fall out of their glass housing and possibly set nearby resin on fire. However, Mazda says there have been no reports of any accident resulting from the defective parts. Mazda6s may also need repairs for possible defects in a brake fluid leakage indicator. The firm declined to disclose the estimated cost of the recall.
HYUNDAI HUNT: Hyundai wants a new dealer in the Dún Laoghaire-south Dublin area after the move by Kingstown Motors from Kill Avenue, Dún Laoghaire, to the former MCM premises on Lower Kilmacud Road, Stillorgan. The Korean marque has also appointed a new dealer in the west, Monaghan Brothers, Castlebar, Co Mayo. Hyundai Ireland's Sam Synnot reckons that by the end of the block exemption upheaval Hyundai will retain its current dealer network of 35, with between three to five changing hands in the process.
THE AMERICAN JOB: Minis are the star of the US remake of The Italian Job, but the word on the movie vary from "brainless fluff" to "a white-knuckler of the first order". The Washington Post says: "This movie has no ideas, no insights, no content and no real performances. That's why it's so cool." We await its arrival here this autumn.
LEGACY LEGACY: Subaru has launched a new generation of its Legacy range. Due here in late autumn, the new model will be powered by upgraded versions of the current 2-litre and 2.5-litre engines. A performance version, 250 bhp 2-litre turbo STi is not expected to take to the roads for at least another two years.
SILICON SLUMP: More bad news for the US car industry - the Economist says breast implants are starting to replace cars as the high school graduation present of choice for Californian teenagers. Having overcome the war slump how can the likes of GM fight off the silicon menace?