Suzuki is one of the world's youngest car manufacturers, yet it has achieved a worldwide sales figure of over 30 million cars. Best known to many for its motor cycles, it commenced car production only in 1955, and then in the Japanese domestic market. Exports didn't begin until 1961. Since then Suzuki has built 22 plants in 19 countries and now exports to over 170 countries.
Peugeot-Citroen and Fiat have launched new versions of their light commercial vehicles, the Fiat Ducato, Citroen Jumper and Peugeot Boxer. They are built at a plant in Italy, a 50/50 joint venture between PSA and Fiat.
The RAC here says we should be more concerned about the problem of sleepy drivers on Irish roads. A survey has found that more than 60 per cent of drivers questioned admitted to having driven while sleepy, while 8 per cent admitted momentarily nodding off at the wheel. Robert Taylor, director RAC Ireland, says driving while sleepy can be as dangerous as driving while drunk, as reaction times similarly suffer.
Japan's most famous performance car, the Nissan Skyline GT-R, is to disappear because of tough new emission laws which will come into force in Japan this summer. Nissan has just launched 1,000 final edition Skylines. All sold in one day. The 276 bhp Skyline is capable of going from zero to 60 mph in just over four seconds.
BMW just can't resist it. Today is 20 02 2002 and the Bavarians think it's an appropriate day to celebrate one of their most famous coupés, the 2002.
Today also marks the end of car production at Ford's Dagenham plant, after 71 years. Almost 11 million cars were built there. Dagenham's future role will be building diesel engines.