Aston Martin is giving a price guide of £150,000 to £200,000 for Vanquish which becomes the Ford subsidiary's new flagship.
Porsche achieved a publicity coup by arranging for its Carrera GT concept to be driven up the Champs Elysee early on the morning of press day at the Paris motor show. According to Porsche insiders, the model could go into production in 2003.
Ian McAllister believes price cuts will give Ford dealership staff a new confidence when talking to customers. “I asked them to go out and blow the doors off the market,” said the Ford of Britain chairman.
As motor show unveilings go, it was not among the most auspicious. BMW's latest model, the new Mini, was revealed to seated journalists at the Paris motor show, who, at best, caught sight of the Cooper's white roof.
In the fast moving world of the internet it is surprising that not much seems to have changed since our last survey. Recent analysis of the US economy has concentrated on productivity gains and the question of their sustainability.
Nick Reilly believes Vauxhall has gained valuable experience in internet sales in the UK and is “well placed to take advantage” of any surge in online sales activity.
Suzuki expects the new Ignis to appeal to a broad range of potential buyers who are looking for a flexible car that has a range of functions.
Renault's new Laguna, inspired by the 1995 Initiale concept car, will be on sale in the UK from February. UK executives are pressing the manufacturer to keep prices at current levels because of the fierce competition in the sector.
Audi is facing up to a “tough and demanding year” in the UK in 2001, said UK boss David Ingram. He blamed frustrating delays in sourcing new models which threatened to hinder their aspirations of climbing to an overall volume of 42,000 from the projected 40,000 units this year.
Warranty Holdings is continuing its transformation from an extended warranty company into a “motor solutions” provider with two new joint ventures.
Automotive distribution giant Finelist has gone into receivership amid allegations of financial irregularities. The action comes eight months after the £500m turnover group agreed a £1bn merger with French distributor Europe Auto Distribution.
Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, is to name a ward after Jim Quick who died suddenly aged 53 two days after the 13th anniversary of his heart transplant there.
First National is dropping the Wagon brand in a major restructuring of its motor finance division.
Citroen has given C5 the challenge of traversing the Xantia and XM ranges when it goes on UK sale in late spring. C5, an upper medium sector saloon that will also target the executive market, marks the start of Citroen's new naming policy.
Mitsubishi is expected to drop the Carisma in 2004 as it focuses on more niche models and its strength in 4x4 vehicles.
Alfa Romeo's star attraction at the Paris motor show was the 147 compact car which will go on sale in the UK next March in 3dr form followed later in the year by a 5dr.
Steppenwolf is ready to follow in the footsteps of the Audi TT and A2 by becoming the latest Audi concept vehicle to make its way into full production. Bracketed as a “study for on-road and demanding off-road” use, Steppenwolf shows how Audi development engineers visualise a high-performance all-rounder for the compact class.
Honda, developing a common rail direct injection diesel engine, was determined not to repeat mistakes from the days of its Rover partnership, said UK boss Ken Keir.
A new global marketing strategy for Saab will be rolled out with the help of UK dealers. “Britain has our best dealer network but even there we have more work to do,” said Peter Augustsson, the new president of Saab.
DaimlerChrysler's online car sales scheme, launched in Germany, is “likely” to be duplicated in Britain later this year, according to UK director of passenger cars Dermot Kelly.
The decision by Ford to pull out of buyout negotiations for Daewoo failed to dampen the Korean manufacturer's determination to highlight future projects that will combine innovation and value for money.
Ford chief executive Jac Nasser “went berserk” when told the recall of 6.5m Firestone tyres would take until the end of 2001, he told a press dinner at the Paris motor show. “We knew it had to be quicker – it could not be quick enough – and it will be finished by the end of November,” he said.
BMW premiered the Mini Cooper, revealing that the UK would get the car first in the spring of 2001. It will be sold only through selected BMW dealers.
Peugeot will launch the 607 in the UK this month, more than 12 months after the car was revealed at last year's Frankfurt motor show.
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo lifted the wraps off the company's 13th new model in seven years. The 550 Barchetta Pininfarina is a limited edition roadster powered by a V12 engine and capable of 180mph. It marks the 70th anniversary of Pininfarina.
BMW hopes to have an outline plan for its UK Mini network in place by the end of this month. A BMW team, led by Mini marketing manager Trevor Houghton-Berry, is visiting every applicant to assess whether their business is suitable to sell Mini as a separate brand.
DaimlerChrysler UK is confident of selling 4,000 left-hand drive Smart City coupes next year, targeting “sophisticated buyers who wish to make a lifestyle statement”.
General Motors president and chief executive officer Richard Wagoner said at a show press briefing the group planned to be “big and fast”, with the internet a key component.
Nissan is ready to go head-to-head with Ford's Land Rover when it launches its new X-Trail 4x4 in the UK next July.
John Clark Motor Group is to invest £285,000 in developing a new group bodyshop and parts distribution centre in Aberdeen.
