TOP 7  -  Eco-Friendly Cars Take Back Seat to Survival of Automakers

Ford, BMW and Volkswagen announced plans to increase sales of more efficient small cars after consumer spending slumped, showing that improving gasoline- powered vehicles will come before alternative-fuel solutions.

[ Source : bloomberg ]

TOP 6  -  2009 Mercedes-Benz B-Class

The B-Class was brought over from Europe in 2005 strictly for the Canadian market as an entry point to the Mercedes-Benz line. This marks a freshening of the styling in preparation for a new generation “B” expected in 2011. In Canada, the B-Class is made up of the B200 and B200 Turbo. Both are powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and mated to either a standard manual (five-speed on the B200, six on the turbo model) or an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT) with seven programmed steps to simulate gears and let the driver totally bypass the benefits of a CVT.

[ Source : autonet ]

TOP 5  -  Kia Soul and hybrid concepts star in Paris

The eagerly awaited Kia Soul urban crossover passenger car unveiled by Kia Motors Corporation at the Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris today (Thursday) is destined to appeal to a whole new group of European, North American and global consumers. Also on display in France are the new ISG (Idle Stop&Go) equipped Kia cee'd, new concept models of the cee'd Hybrid and Soul Hybrid, and the zero-emissions hydrogen-powered Kia Sportage FCEV prototype.

[ Source : newswire ]

TOP 4  -  Ford selling stock to pay debt

Ford Motor Co. said Friday it is selling 500 million dollars in stock to retire short-term debt owed by Ford Motor Credit. "It's a debt for equity swap," Ford spokesman Bill Collins told AFP.

[ Source : afp ]

TOP 3  -  Fiat ready to abandon key lobby group - report

Citing people familiar with the matter, Automotive News Europe also said ACEA's board had in addition agreed to a joint approach by the association's members before the European Commission for a 40 billion euro ($55.4 billion) loan to develop environmentally friendly products.

[ Source : reuters ]

TOP 2  -  Ferrari boss confident in the face of economic downturn

Supercar Italian company Ferrari is well placed to ride out the international downturn in the automotive industry, says its chairman Luca di Montezemolo. "We have good clients and good strategy," he said at the launch of the new V8-powered California at the Paris motor show.

[ Source : nzherald ]

TOP 1  -  First pics of new BMW X1

Although it's not meant to be revealed to the public at the Paris Motor Show on Saturday, we've managed to get some photographs of BMW's new small 4x4.

[ Source : stuff ]