CAR SEIZURES SPARK PROTEST:Irate motorists in Co Donegal will today gather at Letterkenny Garda station to protest against a crackdown on VRT evasion that has led to several cars being seized.
Drivers of cars with Northern Irish or British registration plates risk having their cars impounded if they are found to be evading the controversial tax. The crackdown follows a concerted campaign by the Irish motor industry, which called for action by the Revenue Commissioners to reduce the number of foreign registered cars being driven here illegally.
FORD CLAIMS OTHER MARQUES NOT FOR SALE:
The sale of Aston Martin has raised questions about whether Ford would sever its links with any of the remaining three brands within its Premier Automotive Group (PAG). However, Lewis Booth, chairman of Ford Europe, has said "Jaguar and Land Rover are not for sale".
Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin made up PAG, but while Aston Martin has flourished during its two decades under Ford's ownership, PAG overall reported a $327m loss last year, contributing to Ford's towering $12.7bn loss. Ford does not disclose the performance of brands, but Aston Martin is thought to be the most profitable, with Jaguar the least. (See Page 3)
LAMBORGHINI CONSIDERS FASHION BOOST:Lamborghini is considering options to boost public awareness of its exclusive brand, including a chain of merchandise stores, boss Stephan Winkelmann has said.
The Italian brand has in the past partnered Nokia and fashion house Versace to promote its brand, but has yet to follow the example of larger rival Ferrari by opening stores selling T-shirts and other items sporting its charging-bull logo.
CHINA OVERTAKES US:China overtook the US in passenger car output for the first time last year, adding to the growing list of consumer goods for which it has become the world's biggest supplier, according to figures published by Bank of America.
The surge in Chinese production "is likely to stoke more fear and angst in Washington about the rise of China," according to Joseph Quinlan, Bank of America's chief market strategist.
China produced about 5.2m cars in 2006 compared with 4.4m in the US.