Motoring Newsbriefs

Sep 1 2009 Chris Russon

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED AT LEXUSTHE latest Which? Car dealer satisfaction survey has seen Lexus top the table for sales a servicing.

It is the fifth consecutive year the luxury Japanese brand has scooped the honour.

Second came Daihatsu while Honda was rated third best.

At the bottom of list were Chrysler, Jeep and Fiat.

Which? Car editor, Richard Headland says: 'After a house, a car's the next biggest purchase you're likely to make in your lifetime, so you've a right to expect a high level of service when you walk into a dealership.

'Lexus works hard to give its customers what they want and staff go out of their way to be helpful. If they can do it, there's no reason why other brands can't follow suit.'

ENERGY SAVERSKIA is teaming up with Michelin to supply tyres for its new eco-friendly cee'd range.

All of the models' 15 and 16-inch wheels will be covered by two energy efficient tyre ranges - the Michelin Energy Saver and the Michelin Primacy HP.

Introduced in 2008, the Michelin Energy Saver tyre has low rolling resistance which helps reduce fuel consumption, lowering carbon emissions by 4 g/km.

BEAN COUNTACTOR Rowan Atkinson will be appearing as his famous Mr Bean character at this year's Goodwood Revival event.

Atkinson will drive around the Goodwood Motor Circuit as Mr Bean in a huge parade of Minis to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic British car.

Mr Bean will be driving his distinctive pea green and black Mini sitting in a comfy armchair attached to the roof of the car, using a mop and string to operate the pedals and steering.

The Revival will take place from September 18-20 at the Sussex circuit.

SAFETY FIRSTTHE new chairman of the Institute of Advanced Motorists has stressed the importance of road skills to improve safety standards.

Alistair Cheyne, aged 65, is a former deputy managing director of the AA and succeeds David Kenworthy.

Mr Cheyne said: 'There is no greater contribution to road safety than helping drivers and motorbike riders to maintain and develop their road skills. And no one has a better claim than the IAM to lead the campaign for 'safer driving and riding'.'

Mr Cheyne hails originally from Aberdeen and now lives in Hampshire.

HORCH HONOURAN ultra-rare car bearing the name of Audi's founding father August Horch has won the top award in the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California.

The 1937 Horch 853 Voll & Ruhrbeck Sport Cabriolet, owned by an American private collector, was named Best of Show beating competitors from almost 20 countries who brought their restored cars to the Monterey Peninsula for judging in 28 classes.

The Horch company, which was founded in 1899 and began manufacturing cars in 1901, was unified with three other car manufacturers - Audi, DKW and Wanderer - to form Auto Union, or what is today known as Audi.

THINKING AHEADTHINK, the Norwegian electric vehicle manufacturer, is back in business after the Norwegian courts approved its debt settlement plan, enabling the company to exit court protection.

With new investment of $47 million the company will now press ahead with the development of its TH!NK City model.

The car has a range of more than 100 miles between charges and a top speed of around 60mph and is the first vehicle of its type to be granted pan-European safety approval and CE certification.

SCOOTER PROTECTIONA NEW range of scooter aprons is being offered by Yamaha for its TMAX, X-Max 125/250, X-City and Neo's 50 4-stroke models.

Features include water-resistant pockets, a tailored cover for the seat, easy key-entrance and a soft, fleece-style inner lining which provides insulation in cold weather.

The new S-Line aprons also feature the logo of its corresponding model.

JEANS FOR GENESALFA Romeo has teamed up with top fashion designers to create a brand of jeans named after its MiTo model.

The skinny fit jeans, which were created by TV's fashion expert Louise Roe and London-based fashion designers Bjork and McElligott, will sell for £75 a pair and proceeds go to the Jeans for Genes charity.

CREDIT HELPTHE Finance & Leasing Association, the trade association for the motor finance sector in the UK, has launched an independent website to help buyers understand the different ways to pay for a car.

More than half of new cars are bought on forecourt finance and the website at www.FinancingYourCar.org.uk is an impartial guide for people wanting to learn more about the different types of finance available.