NISSAN AND FIAT TAKE CRASH TEST HEAD ON: There was mixed news for Nissan and Fiat as the latest Euro NCAP crash test results were released. The Nissan Pathfinder off-roader only received two stars for pedestrian protection, and Fiat's Idea MPV was awarded just one.
There was better news on adult occupant protection, with both vehicles getting four stars. Euro NCAP said the Pathfinder only just failed to achieve a maximum five stars.
GOING GREEN A TURN OFF:
Many motorists are turned off by attempts to get them to turn green in their choice of car, according to a British survey.
Drivers find eco-friendly cars are too expensive or offer too little choice, the survey from Auto Express magazine found.
Motorists are also concerned that politicians will not live up to their environmental promises.
80 per cent of respondents said they would not switch. Of these: 64 per cent said there wasn't a model that fitted their buying criteria; 55 per cent said green cars were too expensive to buy.
FIAT'S DOUBLE PROFIT:
Fiat's car division is expected to post its second quarterly profit in a row this week, thanks to strong sales of new models like the Grande Punto in its home market.
Sales were so strong in the first quarter that Fiat exceeded its target of 30 per cent of the Italian market in the first three months of the year. They also encouraged investors, who saw the numbers as a sign that the industrial group was succeeding in recovering from its worst crisis in history in 2003.
WOMEN BUYERS UNSURE:
Women feel at a disadvantage when it comes to buying cars, according to new research of female driver's attitudes.
In general, women drivers don't feel confident bringing their cars to the garage, according to the results of a focus group survey carried out on behalf of Advance Pitstop centres. The focus groups revealed a lack of trust, honesty and confidence in dealing with some garages and car repair companies.