A round-up of other motor news in brief
Final batch of tickets for Top Gear Live at the RDS go on sale today
The final batch of tickets to Top Gear Live at the RDS Simmonscourt in Dublin from the November 27th-30th will go on sale today from 9am.
Car fans wanting to see TV's favourite motoring trio - Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May - in action can purchase tickets by calling 0818-300 275 or by visiting topgear.com/live.
"There has been an overwhelming response to the show so we are releasing these extra tickets to meet the demand. However, this is our final allocation of tickets so our advice to fans is to book your tickets early," said Alan Binley, show director for the Dublin event.
Top Gear Live combines an action-packed 80-minute seated theatre show with a dedicated motoring exhibition of cars and accessories.
Tickets to the show start at €95. For more information, visit topgear.com/live.
Tata buys into Norwegian electric vehicle maker
Tata Motors European Technical Centre plc has bought a 50 per cent holding in Norwegian electric vehicle technology firm Miljo Grenland/ Innovasjon for €1.4 million and plans to launch an electric version of its Indica hatchback (above) in Europe next year.
The Indica EV will be the first Tata electric car and is scheduled to launch in Europe in 2009.
"Unlike existing electric vehicles, Indica EV will be a more practicable option for the consumer: capable of carrying four people, adequate luggage space, with a predicted range of up to 200km/h and acceleration of 0-100 km/h in under 10 seconds," Tata says.
GM tries for merger options
General Motors is reportedly exploring options ranging from a merger with Ford or Chrysler to federal funding to ride out a downturn in sales.
GM plans to close two plants, including its oldest and largest assembly plant in Wisconsin, by year end. Its affiliated finance arm GMAC also said that it is tightening its consumer lending standards.
Analysts said the latest developments, including the more recent merger talks between GM and Chrysler, underscored Ford's position as the strongest of the three
US-based car firms, with the most time to complete its own turnaround plan. Ford shares closed up 20 per cent.
Bob Nardelli, chief executive of privately held Chrysler, said the firm was talking with third parties to explore tie-ups amid a global credit crunch that he said presented a more serious challenge than high fuel prices.
GM has ruled out a bankruptcy filing, but faces scrutiny over whether it has the cash to survive the downturn that began in the US and is spreading globally. "Bankruptcy won't help GM or any other carmaker. That would be unthinkable," Crowe Horwath analyst Erich Merkle said. - Reuters