FROM FORD TO FIAT: Martin Leach, who quit as head of Ford Europe this month, has reached a preliminary agreement to take over as CEO of Fiat's car division, according to industry publication Automotive News
Quoting industry sources, it said that Fiat was negotiating with Ford to release Leach from a non-compete clause in his Ford contract which is believed to last for six months. An announcement on his move to Fiat may coincide with the firm's launch of its newest car, the revamped Panda, in Lisbon next week.
ANYONE FOR GOLF?: VW boss Bernd Pischetsrieder says the firm is on track to sell more than five million cars this year. Speaking at the launch of the new Golf he said it expected to sell more than 600,000 of its new Golf models next year.
RED RUSSIAN REVOLUTION:
For years the butt of many a joke in Ireland and renowned for unreliability and bad build quality, Lada has revealed the new model of its Russian circle-race car (above) during the Sixth Russian international motor show.
TOP OF THE CLASS: While we await its arrival here, good news for Mazda in Britain where its new RX-8, due on sale there in November, is already top of the class for residual values according to experts at the trade publication Glass's Guide. According to the guide, both versions of the RX-8 will retain 49 per cent of their value after three years/60,000 miles. However, residuals here vary significantly from Britain.
CADILLAC'S 3-SERIES CHALLENGER: Cadillac is considering building a mid-size car in Europe to compete in the heart of the market against its German competitors. The model would be about the same size as the BMW 3 Series, said John Howell, Cadillac's director of global brand development. The vehicle could arrive in two to three years, Howell said. GM-owned Cadillac could distribute the new cars through selected Opel dealers in Europe.
VW'S MIDI-MPV IS HERE:
Volkswagen's mid-range MPV has arrived here in a price range that begins at €26,455. The Touran (below) is available with a choice of two 1.6-litre petrol (102/115bhp) and either a 1.9-litre 100bhp diesel or 2-litre 140bhp diesel. Buyers can opt for a 7-seat version for an extra €600.
CALIFORNIAN ATTACKS:
Radical environmentalists vandalised or wrecked hundreds of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) at car dealerships or in the streets in California recently, causing millions of dollars worth of damage. A particular target was the GM Hummer.
Hummer owners belonging to the national Hummer Club held rallies at the weekend to protest against the attacks. At one rally, they likened the attackers to al-Qaida and pledged to "fight terrorism at home and abroad".
STUDENTS ALL AT SEA:
Students heading for study in Britain are to get a helping hand with moving, thanks to a special €220 fare from Irish Ferries next month. The three-day fare, aimed at parents and students with heavy loads, includes return travel for two adults and car from Rosslare to Pembroke with supplements of €20 return from Dublin-Holyhead on the cruise ferry Ulysses and €60 return on the DublinSwift fast ferry. Extra adults travelling costs €15 each way.