AUDI'S TT MAKES ITS DEBUT: Audi is aiming for annual sales of 40,000 units of its new TT, which was launched last week in Berlin.
The new Audi will make its official car show debut at the New York Auto Show today.
As reported in Motors on February 8th, a soft-top version will be unveiled next year along with a three-door hatchback based on the Shooting brake concept car.
RENAULT RECALL: Renault is recalling some of its Scenic II cars for checks on the backseat safety belt mountings. Some 888,000 Scenic II models are covered by the recall, with 6,199 cars built and sold between September 2003 and December 2005 being recalled. A Renault Ireland spokesman said the checks will be carried out free of charge by local dealers.
"For safety reasons, we are recalling the entire Scenic II range built until December 2005," a European spokesman said. No accidents have been reported that are related to the safety belt.
FORSTER FOR VW? German weekly magazine Der Spiegel reported last weekend that certain "influential" VW board members were considering GM Europe chief Carl-Peter Forster as a potential alternative for Pischetsrieder. GM Europe spokesman Ruediger Assion denied the speculation, saying "Forster has no intentions whatsoever of leaving GM at present."
OPEL OFFER EXTENDED: Opel has extended its 50:50 Finance offer until the end of June. The offer, which allows buyers to pay for their car in two instalments, was originally meant to expire at the end of March, but will now run until June 30th.
Elsewhere, Opel is running its three-day test promotion again. Instead of a regular 15-minute spin around the dealership, potential buyers get to hold on to the test car for 72 hours to see what it's really like to live with the car.
The scheme has been operated in 40 different countries and over 5,000 Irish drivers are expected to take part; a similar number as last year. Certain restrictions apply, so customers should lo-call 1850 200 856 for more information.