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MINI Countryman to be built in India

MINI sells worldwide – even in the US – and, despite claims it was a step too far for the brand, the MINI Countryman has been a big hit for MINI, offering as it does most of MINI’s charm but in a bigger, more family friendly package and with the option of All4 4WD for a degree of off-road ability (well, certainly the ability to treat boot sale car parks with disdain). Now, for the first time, BMW is to build the MINI outside Europe with a new MINi assembly facility coming on stream in Chennai, India, where BMW already makes 3 and 5 Series models as well as the X1 and X3. The plan is part of BMW’s plan of ‘Production follows the market’ where BMW aim to make their cars where they’re sold, so with the MINI brand showing strong growth in India since its launch it makes sense to build them there.

Earle stays with Monterey Historics for another year

Maybe the 2010 Historics won't be so different after all. Last week, the day after the Monterey Historics concluded, founder and producer Steve Earle announced that he and his company, General Racing, would no longer be producing that well-loved event. But on Thursday, in an interesting change, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca announced that Earle will be one of five selection-committee members planning next year's Monterey Historics race.

Ford EcoSport baby SUV concept (2012) first pictures

Ford has shown the new EcoSport concept car – a showcase for a potential new small SUV. Ford calls it 'a new compact SUV.' It's based on Fiesta running gear, to give you an idea of the baby 4x4's footprint. And the best news?