JAGUAR has become the latest manufacturer with UK factories to cut production as new car demand across Europe and the United States continues to weaken. Jaguar announced that it will scale back production from its Birmingham plant at the end of the month. The move follows similar action by sister company Land Rover as well as Toyota and Bentley.

CHRYSLER aims to produce electric drive cars across its Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep ranges by 2010. The US based car producer aims to have test vehicles on US roads in specific duties for 2009 followed by wider scale production for consumer use the following year.

VOLKSWAGEN has revealed the fourth model in its commercial vehicle line-up with the unveiling of a new pickup concept.

The new model aims to set new standards in the one-tonne pickup class. It is expected to go into production at the end of 2009.

THE Mini Crossover Concept is a design study for a fourth variant in Mini’s current model range.

FOR students starting college this term, the last thing on their mind is probably driver safety. Irish roads before Fresher’s Week are increasingly filled with students moving their worldly possessions across the country - usually in heavily-laden, small, second-hand cars, raising a number of potential risks; fatigue, view blocking and driving on unfamiliar roads.

SSANGYONG, one of Korea’s niche car and 4x4 makers, plans to unveil a new compact passenger car concept at this year’s Paris Motor Show.

HONDA has revealed a concept of its affordable family hybrid car, to be displayed at next months Paris Motor Show.

VOLKSWAGEN have set mid to late January as the expected arrival date of their new Golf on the Irish market.

Now in its sixth generation, the Golf was first launched in 1974 since when more than 26 million units have been sold world-wide.

TOYOTA has announced plans in the UK recently to carry out road tests on a plug-in hybrid vehicle.