Topgear News

Global automakers are putting their hottest new products on display in Shanghai, counting on design, quality and technology to give them an edge against newcomer Chinese carmakers in the world’s fastest-growing major market.

All the big global names were in China’s biggest city for the Shanghai Auto Show, a biennial event showcasing the one-time bicycle kingdom’s newfound devotion to the motor vehicle.

“This may be the most exciting automotive market on the planet,'’ declared Eric Ridenour, Chrysler’s chief operating officer, as he announced plans to launch an updated version of the Caravan minivan and the Caliber small sport utility vehicle in the China market.

General Motors has confirmed it will continue to make cars at the Ellesmere Port car manufacturing plant.

GM Europe said its popular compact Astra make would be made in four countries across Europe from 2010. As well as the Merseyside factory, plants in Poland, Germany and Sweden will also make the Astra brand which sold nearly 500,000 units last year.

The move will result in the loss of around 1400 jobs in Antwerp, Belgium, but GM Europe has insisted it must make efficiencies in order to remain competitive in a highly-stretched market.

For the first time ever, Honda (UK) has sold over 100,000 cars in 12 months. A record final month of the 2006/07 financial year saw total sales of Honda cars top 100,300 between April 2006 and March 2007, during which time Honda (UK) also set a record market share of 4.66%.

“In 1994 we set ourselves the huge target of achieving 100,000 units in a year,” says Jeff Dodds, Head of Marketing at Honda (UK). “Back then, we sold under 30,000 cars, and the only markets to sell 100k were America and Japan. Just 13 years later, we’ve realised our dream – and it’s a fantastic achievement for everyone involved. But we’re not resting on our laurels: the next target is 150,000 cars, which will be just as tough a challenge.”

• Chinese-made MGs to be sold in late 2007
• First new MGs in two years built last week
• Production at Longbridge to resume this month

Car buyers should see the MG brand back in Britain in the second half of this year, according to Nanjing Automobile Group, which bought MG Rover after its collapse in 2005.

The company is setting up a sales network in Europe and British Commonwealth countries to make this happen.

Nanjing Auto began rolling MG sports cars and saloons off its production plant last week, the first MGs to be built in two years.

Results from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders shows that new car registrations fell by 3.17% in February, but despite this figure, Mini had a good month. They have increased sales by 21% in February since the release of the new Mini Cooper models.

February normally has lower sales figures due to the fact that people tend to wait for new cars and the new number plate to be released in March. Even so, sales are still 2.5% higher than this time last year.

Beginning on July 1st, Brits will be able to purchase the iconic i kei car from Mitsubishi. The i is a big hit in Japan, having won numerous awards for its futuristic styling and clever engineering while racking up big sales in the home market. Mitsubishi has spent the last year shopping the i around Great Britain at the Badminton Horse Trials, the British Motor Show and some select Mitsubishi dealerships, and the response from the public was positive enough to convince management to sell the car on the Queen’s isle. It will be available only in one configuration powered by the JDM spec 660cc turbo three-cylinder engine producing an economical though not entirely thrilling 64bhp. Initially, however, only 300 units will be made available for sale at the price of £8,999.

A bid has been made by a UK car design company for the factory and workforce of Blackpool-based TVR sports car firm.
Melling Sports Cars, which has rock musician Rick Wakeman on its board, sees the workforce as a prime asset.

Administrators for TVR are operating a closed-bid system, choosing the one that gives the best financial return to creditors.

The outcome of the bidding process, involving Rochdale-based Melling, will be known on 23 February.

Technical director of Melling Sports Cars - Al Melling - said he will keep making the TVR cars Sagaris and Griffiths in Blackpool, as well as some of his own models.