Other motoring news in brief
GM get critical response
Germany will probably reject a General Motors a Germany will probably reject a General Motors aid request for its loss-making Opel unit because the US car-maker can afford to fund the reorganisation itself.
A request from General Motors for German government aid for the Opel division has received a “very critical” response from outside advisers reviewing the application, economy minister Rainer Bruederle said yesterday in Berlin. The German government’s steering committee that will study the advisers recommendation will meet later this week.
However a member of the parliament’s economic committee, Michael Fuchs, said: “We cannot possibly tell the people, ‘You have to put up with higher costs’, while we’re propping up a company like GM that is perfectly able to cope by itself.”
Return of an icon
Saab is working on a new smaller entrant based on its iconic 1950s model, the 92, according to the chief executive of its new owners Spyker. The firm is reportedly in talks with other firms about sharing technology and a platform for the new car.
“Discussions are already ongoing,” says Spyker’s Victor Muller. The new model would retain the tear-drop shape of the old 92, which was out between 1949 and 1956.
He did not say who the interested party is. (Bloomberg)
Korea calling
A group led by Nissan has expressed an interest in buying South Korean car-maker Ssangyong. Nissan, whose largest shareholder is Renault SA, is leading the effort but the initial contact has been through an Asian division. Ssangyong, which entered bankruptcy protection in February, offers buyers access to Asian and Russian markets. Interested bidders to be shortlisted later this week.
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This week on our Motors podcast, produced in association with Bridgestone, we test drive one of the hottest hatches to be launched in years – Ford's Focus RS500, the 350bhp. Shane O'Donoghuereports on his time behind the wheel and whether this RS is the best yet from the blue oval brand. We also assess Volvo's new S60and the recoveryin the new-car market, while our in-car test report is on the iconic Mazda MX-5. Listen in at irishtimes.com/motors/podcast