Lexus LF-A roadster at Geneva

By Guy Bird Motor Shows 06 March 2008 14:02 What’s new on Lexus’s Geneva Motor Show stand? In global unveil terms, the Lexus stand had nothing new. The LF-A roadster concept first revealed at the 2008 Detroit show two months ago took centre stage for its European debut, flanked by the IS-F and various big hybrids from the GS450h to the LS600h L… oh and a groovy cut-away version of the RX400h.

Britain to be third global production site for the Nissan Leaf EV after Japan, U.S.

Nissan Motor Co. said it will build the new Leaf electric vehicle at Britain's Sunderland assembly plant starting in early 2013, with initial capacity of 50,000 units. The Japanese company and its French alliance partner Renault will invest more than $642.6 million in the project, including the construction of a lithium ion battery plant on the site.

Keyless ignition trends toward standardization

A federal plan to require automakers to standardize keyless ignition systems in the wake of Toyota's unintended acceleration problems is likely to mirror industry guidelines issued in January, an automaker group said. Large automakers except Toyota said they already comply with the guidelines crafted by SAE International or plan to do so. These "recommended practices'' seek to counter the variation, driver confusion and safety problems that have ensued since automakers started installing push-button ignition in luxury models.