Sime Darby Auto Italia Sdn Bhd (Auto Italia) is introducing a financing plan aimed at making ownership of its Alfa 147 hatchback more attractive to potential car buyers. In a statement on July 26, Auto Italia said it had developed the plan with Sime Credit Sdn Bhd offering customised packages designed to suit a variety of needs and repayment abilities. It said the most attractive was the staggered-cum-balloon financing package with a monthly repayment of RM788 for the first year

German prosecutors said Monday they were investigating allegations of corruption at German carmakers Volkswagen and Audi. The charges relate to kickbacks allegedly paid by French car parts supplier Faurecia for favorable treatment in the awarding of contracts, prosecutors said. The French company is suspected of having paid 600,000 to 800,000 euros ($750,000-1 million) a year to senior employees in the purchasing department of the German carmakers, the prosecutors said

The latest models from the world’s major car manufacturers will go on display at the country’s premier auto fair in September with the organisers of the annual event promising it will be an “exciting and fun-filled” event for both visitors and exhibitors.’ Motor Show 2006’, at the Oman International Exhibition Centre in Seeb from September 20 to 23, has already received confirmation from most major car dealers in the country

Toyota plans to pursue a plug-in hybrid vehicle, touting the long-term potential of gas-electric hybrids on America's highways. ''Make no mistake about it, hybrids are the technology of the future, and they will play a starring role in the automotive industry in the 21st century,'' Toyota Motor North America Inc. President Jim Press said Tuesday

On Saturday 15 July 2006, a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren powered into history by setting the first London Land Speed record at 175.7mph (283km/h). The SLR McLaren is the world’s most complete super sports car, combining the engineering skills and production processes of Mercedes-Benz and the construction expertise of McLaren

Ten years after its arrival in the UK, the Renault Scenic compact MPV will be available in a new form from October this year. This is more a revision of the existing model than a complete reworking, though the 2006 model year range can be identified from a distance thanks to new xenon-look headlights and LED rear lights, a new grille and updated front and rear bumpers

Toyota Motor Corporation said it will recall 420,105 vehicles of 12 types worldwide to replace faulty engine sensors. Of the total, 268,570 units have been sold in the domestic market and the 151,535 others exported mainly to North America and Europe, spokeswoman Shiori Hashimoto said. The affected vehicles include the Vitz, the Funcargo, the Platz and a number of Corolla models. They were produced between January and November 2001, Toyota said in a statement to the transport ministry

On Friday the chief of GM concern Richard Wagoner and chief of Renault and Nissan companies Carlos Ghosn have agreed to study possible variants of an alliance of the auto manufacturers during nearest 90 days, informs Reuters. Earlier, the committees of directors of the companies have supported an opportunity of such alliance. The first conference of committee of directors GM, devoted to the future alliance, will be held today, July 17

The company Opel has spent about 150 millions € for preparation of industrial lines of the factory in Eisenach to serial output of new generation Opel Corsa. The start of manufacture of this model is planned on August 21, however at the dealers Opel the new model will appear only in October of the current year. Let's remind that the factory Opel in Eisenach was built in 1992 and now there are working about 1800 workers

The American concern General Motors has presented new crossover GM Acadia. This model is created on a uniform platform with others crossovers of the concern: Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave. It is possible, that on the same platform will appear later jeep of Saab model. The new model will be completed by the V6 engine, equipped by system of change the phase’s valve timing, and six-step automatic transmission. Volume of the motor is 3, 6 litres and its power - 267 horse forces