A round-up of today's other motor stories in brief...
Car of the year shortlist
THE 59 MEMBERS of the jury for the prestigious Car of the Year title in Europe have nominated seven new cars for their shortlist.
From the 37 contenders for the award this year, the seven cars shortlisted are: the Alfa Romeo MiTo; the Citroën C5; the new Ford Fiesta; Opel's Insignia; the new Renault Mégane; Skoda's new Superb; and the latest Volkswagen Golf. Motors will profile all the shortlisted cars in the coming weeks.
For the final vote, jury members have to apportion 25 points among at least five of the cars, providing a written justification of their choice.
The result will be announced on November 17th. Motoring editor Michael McAleer is the Irish jury member.
Tata to build cars in Gujarat after protests force it from West Bengal
Tata has agreed a deal to build its low-cost Nano (pictured) car in western Gujarat state, days after it pulled out of West Bengal because of violent protests.
The plant, to be built at Sanand, near Ahmedabad, will have an initial capacity of 250,000 units, which can be expanded to up to 500,000 cars per year, the firm's chairman Ratan Tata said.
Tata Motors, which had planned to launch the Nano around October, will in the meantime explore the option of manufacturing it at existing units in western Pune city and northern Pantnagar.
The Nano, or "Peoples car", as it has been dubbed, was unveiled to a rousing reception in January and encouraged others carmakers including Ford, General Motors, Toyota and Volkswagen to announce plans to build low-cost cars.
'Women-only' car for Iran
Iran's biggest motor manufacturer is to take the country's gender sensitivity to new levels by producing a car specially for women. It will be fitted with features common on the international market but seen as female-specific in Iran's male-dominated culture.
These include an automatic gearbox, electronic parking aids, a navigation system and a jack designed to make it easier to change a wheel, suggesting that women drivers lack the mechanical competence of their male counterparts. Alarms may also be installed to warn of flat tyres. The vehicle will be painted in soft "feminine" colours and include interior designs tailored to women's tastes. There will also be audiovisual entertainment systems for child passengers.
Iran Khodro, the state-backed manufacturer, said it would put the first models on sale next June to coincide with Iranian women's day. The women's car will initially be aimed solely at the Iranian domestic market.
Vahid Najafi, managing director of Iran Khodro's order unit, said the design was prompted by a sharp increase in numbers of women drivers and car owners, and was based on research into their preferences and needs. Cars will be built in response to orders from customers.
Going right off-road in a challenge for charity
Twenty-one teams of 4x4 drivers and navigators, backed up by six support vehicles and 10 marshalls, negotiated hillside, river and bog in the west and northwest last weekend, as part of the annual 4x4 Challenge for Charity.
Andy Spence of Lisburn Co Antrim and Glenn Myles of Hillsborough, Co Down were the overall winners in a Land Rover Defender 300 Tdi, taking the Cavan Crystal trophy for the third year running. In second place overall were Ger Dooner and Laoise Macken, from Co Roscommon
Entrants gathered for a briefing outside Oranmore, Co Galway on Saturday, before heading into Connemara and on through Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon. Teams competing in the event have achieved their four-year target of raising €100,000 for Dublin's Temple Steet Children's Hospital.