A round-up of other stories in brief
FIAT IN JOINT VENTURE WITH DAIMLER TRUCKS:In a sign of the changing fortunes of Fiat, the Italian's powertrain division is to provide diesel engines to Daimler's truck division. The joint venture will start initially with the supply of a 3-litre diesel engine but there are suggestions that future initiatives will be undertaken.
TOYOTA TO BEEF UP ITS EUROPEAN DIESEL RANGE:Toyota is to strengthen its European diesel range by buying in engines from Isuzu.
Isuzu has a reputation for being a diesel engine specialist, although evidence in Europe is hard to find. Isuzu itself has effectively pulled out of the European SUV and pick-up market - ironically its engines were not compliant with the latest diesel emissions standards. It also supplied a 3-litre diesel to General Motors, but it proved less than popular with buyers.Nonetheless, Toyota believes it can save money by outsourcing some diesel engines. Toyota will insist on better results from Isuzu than GM managed.
RENAULT TO OVERHAUL FRENCH NETWORK:Renault, struggling with declining car sales in its home market, is due to announce an overhaul of its French dealership network this week. The car firm is expected to sell some of its unprofitable wholly-owned dealers to independent private operators.
Global sales of cars made by Renault and its Korean Samsung Motors and Romanian Dacia brands slid by 4.2 per cent in May. The group's sales in France, Renault's largest market, were down by 5.8 per cent for the month, and down 9.4 per cent for the year to date.
AUDI WINS ENDURANCE RACE:Audi won the 75th edition of the 24-hour endurance race in Le Mans. The VW-owned car firm overcame the Peugeot challenge and wet conditions Sunday to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the fourth year.
NCA CAR GUIDE LAUNCH:The National Consumer Agency will today launch a new Consumer Guide to Buying a Car, offering buyers recommendations and checklists. Taking the consumer through the entire process from beginning to end, the guide offers hints on how to avoid scams and practices such as "car-clocking".