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Tesla Model S outselling Chevrolet Volt & Nissan LEAF

Tesla never managed to make any money out of their electric Lotus – the Tesla Roadster – but it does look like they’re on to a winner with their electric  executive saloon, the Tesla Model S. Despite moans that the headline-grabbing sub-$50k Model S was never a reality – and a starting point of $70k – the Model S looks set to outsell the two most successful ‘alternatively fuelled’ cars – the electric Nissan LEAF and the range extender Chevrolet Volt – in the first quarter of 2013. Sales of the electric Nissan LEAF, which costs from $29k in the US, in the first quarter of 2013 were 3,965 units and the Chevrolet Volt, which costs from $40k, sold 4,421 units.

BMW M3 set to compete in DTM from 2012

It might have pulled out of F1, but the upshot is that BMW has announced plans to enter the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) in 2012 with the M3, plus it’s developing a new racer and 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, and will continue its other production car-based racing activities. ‘Following the withdrawal from Formula One, the realignment of our motorsport programme is raising our presence in production car racing to a whole new level,’ said BMW board member Dr. Klaus Draeger.

USED VALUES HOLD STEADY

THERE was no change in the value of the average used car between October and November 2010, according to new figures from BCA. November values were down £111 year-on-year and remained at £5,792 There was a slight increase in the volume of used vehicles reaching the market in November, but not enough to provoke any change. A seasonal lack of interest on the market is to blame for the lack of fluctuation as well as travel difficulties created by the cold weather, according to BCA, and the drop off in demand is likely to remain into December.