Ford to add 1,200 jobs at Chicago plant to build 2011 Explorer

Ford plans to add 1,200 jobs when it begins making the Explorer sport-utility vehicle later this year in Chicago. The announcement is expected Tuesday morning at the plant. Plans to bring the Explorer from Louisville, Ky., to the underutilized Chicago plant have been known for nearly a year.

Electric Smart (EV) to go in to production

The Smart electric car is to go in to limited production after recent trials You won’t be surprised to learn that after Mercedes 10% stake in Tesla that it is Tesla who are to provide the batteries for the second generation Smart Electric Car. With this technology in place, the Smart EV gets a greater range, shorter charging times and better performance. The press release is big on quotes about the wonders of the Smart Electric, as you would expect.

Renault Twingo and Clio Grand Tour

By Ben Whitworth Motor Shows 08 March 2007 10:12 French but sans le funky look A busy show stand for Renault – as well as unveiling its new Twingo city car, the French manufacturer pulled the wraps off a thinly disguised version of its upcoming Clio estate to take on its Fabia and Peugeot 207 wagon rivals. After the funked up coolness of the Twingo concept car shown at the Paris Motor Show last year, we are more than a little underwhelmed by the production Twingo. Renault is keen to move away from the utilitarian look and feel of the original model – it will leave cheap and cheerful sales to the Clio Campus – and pitch the new model at sharper-suited rivals like the Mini.