This week's motoring news in brief
US industry 'over the worst'
The US auto industry has passed the worst of its downturn after painful but “needed” sacrifices by unionised auto workers, retiring United Auto Workers president Ron Gettelfinger, left, says. He claims the US auto industry is back on a profitable footing and increasing domestic production a year after the Obama administration intervened to save General Motors and Chrysler Group.
“There is strong evidence that the worst is behind us,” he said, urging members to campaign for Democratic candidates in the November election and lauded Barack Obama for approving loans that saved General Motors and Chrysler.
Team Ireland
To mark the 20th anniversary of the Mazda MX-5, the firm has launched an online design competition to create a new colour scheme for its Team Ireland racing car.
The car will represent Ireland in next years European MX-5 Open Race painted in the winning design.
For more details see designmx-5.ie
Listen up
On this week's Irish TimesMotors podcast, we test drive the new Renault Fluence, plus news, views and the latest interviews from the motoring world. You can listen to the show – and all the earlier editions of the podcast – at irishtimes.com/motors/podcast
Also keep updated on the latest motoring news during the week at our Motors blog, irishtimes.com/blogs/motors
Next week: The Nissan Leaf
It’s one of the most talked about new car releases for decades: Nissan’s Leaf, which will be one of the first mass-produced full-sized electric vehicles.
Said to be capable of covering around 160km on a full charge, the Leaf has been shown in concept form but we have travelled to Japan to drive what is the near production-ready version. This is a car with no emissions, no exhaust and no fuel tank. It can be charged in eight hours at a domestic charge. You can use your mobile phone to alert you when your car is fully charged and you can also use your phone to turn on the air conditioning.
But is it any good? What is it like to drive? You can find out next week as we bring you an exclusive drive of the new Leaf. In the meantime, you can follow Paddy Comyn’s blog from Japan on irishtimes.com/blogs/motors