Ford to sell Aston Martin

By Georg Kacher Motor Industry 31 August 2006 02:39 The world’s two biggest luxury goods firms – including the conglomerate behind brands like Moet and Louis Vuitton – are locked in a battle to buy Aston Martin from cash-starved Ford. Ford announced today that the British sports car manufacturer would be sold and CAR has learned that Swiss-based Richemont and the French holding company LVMH have emerged as most likely to take on Aston despite having no previous experience in the car industry. Ford desperately needs to tap into the potential $700m-$1bn the sale of Aston could generate and hopes to finalise a deal by the end of the year.

Volkswagen Opens Order Book For Electric Golf

FOLLOWING on from the recent launch of its electric up!, Volkswagen has announced details of its next new eco-themed model, the e-Golf. Like with its city car, Volkswagen is adopting the policy of using a conventional car as the basis for its electric power Golf. The German car maker is claiming a range of 118 miles after a full charge, while top speed is an acceptable 87mph and the zero to 62mph sprint takes a brisk 10.4 seconds.

Mini previews John Cooper Works concept before Detroit auto show

A new Mini John Cooper Works concept will bow at the Detroit auto show in January. It gets exclusive gray paintwork, red accents, new aerodynamics and new 18-inch JCW light alloy wheels. Mini says the concept has a longer wheelbase and wider track than the outgoing model, which is hardly surprising -- the Mini gets less Mini every year.