FIAT OFFERS SUPPORT:Fiat chief executive Sergio Marchionne (pictured below right with Mr Ratan Tata) has offered to support Indian carmaker Tata if it buys Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford. Quoted in Automotive News Europe, Mr Marchionne said: "If Tata eventually buys Jaguar and Land Rover, Fiat is ready to provide technical support."
Tata is reportedly one of the bidders for the premium brands, along with several private equity investors. Interested parties are currently carrying out due diligence and a sale is likely to be agreed early next year.
WOMEN'S RIGHTS:For the first time ever, a group of women in Saudi Arabia, the only country that bans female drivers, has formed a committee to lobby for the right to get in the driver's seat.
Members of the Committee of Demanders of Women's Right to Drive Cars say they want to have their petition delivered to the king by Sunday, Saudi Arabia's national day.
The government is not likely to respond to the plea because the issue is so sensitive and divisive.
The driving ban applies to all women, Saudi and foreign, and forces families to hire drivers. Women whose families cannot afford €150 a month for a driver rely on male relatives to drive them to work, school, shopping or to the doctor.
HIGH VISIBILITY:At this year's National Ploughing Championships, 40,000 high visibility vests will be distributed free of charge in a joint initiative between the Road Safety Authority, Health and Safety Authority and the Irish Farmers Journal.
NEW RENAULT MODEL:Renault is to build another flagship model to replace the poor-selling Vel Satis. While chief executive Carlos Ghosn would not confirm the size or format of the vehicle, there are suggestions that the Egeus concept car (pictured below), shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show two years ago, pointed to the direction a new flagship model might take, though it was more of a crossover SUV than a regular range-topping model. However, as with Vel Satis, Renault does not always follow the conventional route.
NEW FIAT APPOINTMENT:Fiat has appointed the former head of its light commercial vehicles division to head its Fiat car brand.
Lorenzo Sistino replaces Luca De Meo, who is being promoted to the newly created position of chief marketing officer for the entire group. The appointments are effective immediately.