More motoring news in brief.
Ford to focus on building small cars
Ford is about to alter its focus drastically and build more small cars, the New York Timessaid yesterday, citing people familiar with the plans.
Ford will make the announcement tomorrow, when it releases quarterly results, the newspaper reported.
The company is expected to announce that it will convert three of its North American assembly plants from building trucks to cars, according to the sources, the paper said.
Ford will realign factories to make more fuel-efficient engines and produce six of its next European car models for the US market, it added.
The company will also make its Mercury brand an integral part of its new small-car strategy, the newspaper said, citing the sources.
New Meriva carries on Opel's revamped design ideals
Opel introduced its new Vectra replacement yesterday at the London Motor Show, heralding a new design language for the brand. Next up to carry that styling will be the new Meriva. It carries the firm's new grille and rear opening side doors, as reported here some months back.
Ignore the fake handles on the back doors, the next Meriva will have rear-hinged doors that allow better access to the cabin.
Opel's new 2-litre diesel, launched in the Insiginia, will feature in the new Meriva, due for launch next year.
Mazda plans new concepts for upcoming shows
In London, Mazda's line-up featured the Furai concept racecar. It's not a new concept, but part of a long series of futuristic show cars revealed by the Japanese. Peter Birtwhistle, chief designer of Mazda Europe, told Shane Donoghue that the fun isn't about to end any time soon. Next up is the Kazamai crossover concept, due to bow in at the Moscow International Motor Show next month.
It's no surprise that Mazda is unveiling an SUV-based concept in Russia, as right now it's a huge market segment, but there's more in store for western Europe in the form of an exciting new concept to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October. The Irish Timeswas told that the new car previews a new model sitting below the current Mazda2 in the line-up, with low weight and efficiency prominent characteristics.
Birtwhistle commented that it would be difficult to translate the company's "Nagare" flow design language employed in the concepts into production, though did ask the question "what about a van?". It's a case of watching this space.
New Evora planned for Lotus line-up
Lotus has introduced a new sports car it hopes will rival the likes of the Porsche Cayman. The Evora is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 supplied by Toyota and reworked by the British brand to put out 280bhp. Of more significance is the body, weighing in at less than 1,400kg, allowing the car a 0-100km/h time of five seconds.
The Evora is the first of three cars planned for launch by the brand in the next three years. Next up is likely to be a fully-fledged supercar.