HardShoulder

Stories from the world of motors

Stories from the world of motors

CAMERAS OFF: Police and transport chiefs in London have signalled the end of the road for up to 140 speed cameras. Amid public anger over the number of motorists being fined, scores of cameras in the capital could be replaced with speed indicator signs telling drivers how fast they are going and to slow down. There are a total of 665 Gatso cameras in London of which about 400 are speed cameras; the rest target motorists breaking red lights. Of the 400 speed cameras, only 260 currently have film but the remaining 140 still flash when speeding cars go by.

EURO VERSO: Toyota will introduce its latest generation of the Corolla Verso (above) next May. To be revealed at the Geneva show next week, the new people carrier will feature more European-orientated design and a new seating system that allows the seats to fall flat, similar in many ways to the Opel Flexispace system. Toyota expects to sell 62,000 units in Europe this year.

MITSUBISHI MOVES: A DaimlerChrysler team headed by Andreas Renschler, chief of its Smart cars unit, will arrive in Japan next weekend to help restructure Mitsubishi Motors. German publication Manager Magazin has reported that Renschler is to take over from Rolf Eckrodt, the current chief executive of embattled Mitsubishi. However, sources say that Renschler will not necessarily take the helm of Japan's fourth largest automaker, in which DaimlerChrysler holds a 37 per cent stake.

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SAFE SCOOTERING: Scooter riders are being warned against running the risk of severe injury by wearing inappropriate clothing. The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) says that it has noted that scooter commuters have the right headgear, and that is about all.

A spokesperson said: "Commuters seem to think that riding a scooter is like an extension of driving a car. And they dress accordingly - in suits, lightweight clothes with a jacket on top and normal footwear."

AUDI'S NEW SUV: Audi is to begin production of its new sports utility vehicle by the end of 2005. The vehicle will be built alongside the VW Touareg (above) at VW's Slovak plant. However, the factory is already facing problems meeting this year's targets as demand for the 4x4 Touareg has exceeded expectations. The aim is to raise the output of its Touareg sport utility vehicle by 50 per cent this year, from 60,000 units in 2003.

SHORTFALL COVER: Bank of Scotland is offering a new protection plan aimed at protecting motorists from payout shortfalls in their standard comprehensive motor insurance. At €183 a year, it covers the difference between the insurance payout and the full original value of the car.

Meanwhile Permanent TSB has secured agreement with another manufacturer - BMW Ireland - to supply it with point-of-sale financing for buyers.