The next Fiat Stilo...
The next Fiat Stilo needs to be built at the "speed of light", say bosses. That"s because they want to replace the current model earlier than planned due to poor sales. The firm was forced to look outside Italy for a company that could get the job done quickly enough, and chose Magna Steyr, the Austrian outfit responsible for Chrysler"s 300C.
PODCASTS, the bite-size...
PODCASTS, the bite-size downloads on everything from comedy to news, are now targeting motorists. Renault is using them to promote its new Mégane at www.renault.co.uk, with site subscribers getting the chance to win a city break in Europe.
CHEAP, delivery-mileage used cars are under threat. Registered to hit sales targets by dealers, supply of the value-for-money offerings could dry up, according to industry consultant Network Automotive"s study of trading during the first three months of 2006. "New and used car sales continue to slow, so many dealers aren"t attempt--ing to meet unattainable sales targets," explained a spokesman.
WHAT"S the hottest used car at the moment? Well, the Jaguar XK is a safe bet. The firm has already exceeded UK sales targets, which means anyone desperate to get one will have to buy used. Pre-owned cars could change hands for above list price in the short term, although finding an XK to suit you could be tricky - on average, new buyers have spent ÷£6,500 on extras to personalise their car.
SAVE ÷£6,000 on Ford Focus C-MAX at car supermarket Motorpoint. An 05-reg 1.6 LX with fewer than 3,000 miles on clock available for only ÷£7,999.
WEBSITE for used dealers in West Midlands goes from strength to strength. Site www.carhunt.co.uk nets eight per cent of all used searches made using Google, MSN and Yahoo in region. Internet site set up by former MG Rover employee last December.
GIANT new Mitsubishi dealer to boast 80-vehicle used display. New forecourt in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, opens June.
EXPERTS at Glass"s Guide predict tax shake-up will have "negligible" effect on sales of most polluting vehicles. Buyers already accept heavy depreciation and high running costs.