Renault at the Paris motor show 2008

By Ben Oliver Motor Shows 02 October 2008 12:24 Renault put in the strong showing you'd expect from France's biggest car maker on its home turf, with six new cars or concepts led by two versions of the new Megane. There's also the production versions of the Laguna Coupe and the shortened, three-door Kangoo Be Bop, and two new concepts in the Ondelios grand tourer and the Z.E. electric car.

Now your wheels can light up Christmas, too!

GloRyder By now, you've probably finished decking your halls with boughs of holly and pinning Christmas lights to the outside of your house, but have you considered illuminating your car's wheels, too? Well if an American company has its way, you could soon be doing just that. And better still, you could be able to control the lights from your smartphone.

GM's Lutz to retire May 1

General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz plans to retire from the automaker effective May 1, according to a statement released by GM on Wednesday. Lutz, 78, had been serving as a senior adviser to GM Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre after shelving retirement plans to take charge of the automaker's marketing after it emerged from bankruptcy in July 2009. An outspoken executive who both challenged global warming and championed GM's all-electric Volt, Lutz is credited with revitalizing GM's product development efforts after being hired by former GM CEO Rick Wagoner in 2001.