As a part of the transport arrangements for the Beijing Olympics, a 50-unit fleet of hybrid vehicles co-developed with Ricardo is being provided by Chinese car manufacturer, the Chery Automobile Company Ltd. Known as the Olympics Green Messengers, these vehicles are some of China's first hybrid vehicles and will go into full production in the months following the games.

Suzuki claims that its new Alto model due for launch at the Paris International Motor Show in October, builds on the strengths of Suzuki's knowledge of small-car development. The new car combines eye-catching style and easy urban mobility with great performance in terms of high fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions.

The VRT registration changes have been welcome news for Honda in the Irish market. Civic IMA Hybrid, Accord and CR-V diesel options, Jazz and the fuel-efficient Civic petrol options all deliver significant customer benefits both in terms of reduced vehicle registration and road tax costs.

This year, Ford is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the car credited with 'putting the world on wheels'. Henry Ford's iconic Model T, which brought the world into the age of the 'horseless carriage', is also responsible for hundreds of innovations that jumpstarted the automotive industry as we know it.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) calls driver fatigue a silent killer and in a sense, that is just what it is. Fatigue operates in much the same way as alcohol.

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has reported that its brand new factory is scheduled to be ready for next April's start of production of the new i-MiEV all-electric 5-door city car. The factory will initially produce 1 million palm-size lithium-ion cells a year, which is enough to power 10,000 vehicles.

Ford Europe sold a record 1,003,700 vehicles in the first half of 2008, a rise of almost 2 per cent on the same period last year. The one million sales threshold comes despite a general softening of the industry and the challenging economic environment.

The French based PSA Group, owners of the Citroen and Peugeot car ranges has reported a 4.6 per cent growth in worldwide vehicle sales for the first half of 2008. The company reported improvements in earnings with net income at PSA up by 49 per cent on the back of a modest sales increase of 1.4 per cent, according to the latest report.

Toyota has cut its 2008 global sales forecast by 350,000 vehicles, or 3.5 per cent, to reflect the drop in sales in the North America of its pick-up trucks and SUVs. The news is a further sign of strain in the global motor industry as high fuel prices and a slowing economy squeeze consumers in the world's biggest car market.

Michelin's 'Fill Up With Air' roadshow will visit the car park of Total Fitness, Blackglen Road, Sandyford, Dublin on Thursday and Friday, and 21/22 August. The roadshow offers drivers a free tyre safety check, advice on tyre care and importantly, tips on how to save fuel. This summer, Michelin is embarking on a major programme to help educate and advise motorists on how they can potentially make their tyres last longer, reduce fuel consumption and ensure greater safety on the road.