FIAT'S TURNAROUND:The dramatic turnaround of Fiat seems complete with its new 500 - due for launch in Ireland next month - scooping the coveted Car of the Year prize for Europe while the firm recorded its highest ever profits - €3.2 billion for 2007. Between its car and commercial vehicles division, the Fiat Group sold over 2.2 million vehicles last year.
Fiat Group Automobiles - comprising Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Lancia brands - had a trading profit of €803 million. Ferrari's trading profit came to €266 million, while Maserati recorded its first profit - €24 million - since it was purchased by Fiat back in 1993.
Receiving the car of the year prize at an awards ceremony in Berlin on Monday night, Sergio Marchionne, chief executive of Fiat Group, said orders in Europe for the 500 had exceeded expectations and production would be increased to 190,000 per year by 2009.
MERC UNVEILS NEW C-CLASS COUPÉ:Mercedes Benz has unveiled a new C-Class coupé called the CLC. While the company is claiming the car is entering a new niche, it is in reality replacing the previous C-Class sports coupé.
Featuring the same front-end design and interior features as the recently launched C-Class saloon, the new car will feature six engine options ranging in output from 122bhp to 272bhp. It is due to go on sale later this year.
A GLOBAL REMIT:John Paul Mooney, marketing manager at Land Rover Ireland has been appointed global communications manager for Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. Mooney (34), originally from Kill, Co Waterford, has worked with Land Rover Ireland since 2003, joining from the advertising agency DDFH&B.
JAGUAR TAKEOVER:Jaguar's management is "entirely relaxed" about the prospect of the carmaker's takeover by India's Tata group and believes it will allow Jaguar and Land Rover to develop unfettered.
Ian Callum, director of design, said: "We have shown Tata our new model lines and the planned product cycle. The two national cultures appear to fit together very well and Tata is being very respectful about what we are doing."
However, Callum stopped short of acknowledging Tata's purchase of Jaguar and Land Rover for an estimated $2 billion (€1.354 bn) was a done deal between Tata and Ford.