Nissan Cedric 1999 Speedometer [1361400] on 2040-parts.com

Italy’s Supercar sales down 80% as Italy heads for 50 year car sales low

Sales of Supercars in Italy have dropped 80% in the last 5 years and car sales look set to drop to the lowest point since 1966. We all know the Eurozone is finally paying the price for stitching together powerhouse economies and basket case ones with the same blunt fiscal tools to control their economies. And even Italy – once a major Southern European economy – seems to be as big a basket case as Greece and Cyprus if you start to dig a bit.

Smart ForTwo Electric Drive Starts

Production of the Smart ForTwo EV starts in November The 2nd generation Smart uses centrally positioned Lithium Ion batteries which power a rear mounted 30kw motor generating 120nm of the twisty stuff from the off. Which should make the ForTwo Electric respond pretty well in the city environment it’s designed for. But don’t get too excited.

Ford C-Max Energi and C-Max Hybrid (2011)

Ford has unveiled two new hybrid vehicles at the 2011 Detroit motor show, the plug-in hybrid C-Max Energi, and the C-Max Hybrid. Both are based on the five-seat Ford C-Max, and the pair go on sale in North America in 2012, while European sales follow in 2013. Both the Ford C-Max Hybrid and Ford C-Max Energi use an Atkinson-cycle (like the Prius) 2.0-litre petrol engine and lithium-ion batteries.