India's largest passenger carmaker, Maruti Suzuki, has decided to hike prices of its various models following foreign currency fluctuations and rise in input prices. The prices have been revised in the range of Rs 5,000-10,000 and would be effective from January 28 onwards. However, prices of economy-end vehicles like M800, Omni, Alto, WagonR, Zen Estilo, Gypsy, and Versa besides the SUV Grand Vitara were not increased.

Stockholm - Volvo Cars, the Swedish subsidiary of US carmaker Ford, has urged the Swedish government to introduce more incentives to help the flagging industry, reports said Wednesday.

Suggestions included reintroducing a premium for the demolition of old cars, extending a tax-break scheme for ecologically friendly cars and conducting a review of diesel fuel taxes.

"A demolition premium has a double benefit. Old cars that cause more harm to the environment than new cars disappear while the car industry gets a boost and more people keep their jobs," Volvo Cars chief executive Stephen Odell told financial daily Dagens Industri.

Stuttgart  - Peugeot has treated its 10-year-old 206 to a makeover in a bid to keep it near the top of the supermini registration league, Germany's auto motor und sport magazine reports.

The Lion marque designers have restyled the front of the car to give it the same gaping grille and heavily-sculpted look of the 207 hot hatch which it is sold alongside. The new model for Europe will be officially unveiled at the Geneva show in March.

Munich - An entry-level One version of the practical Mini Clubman estate is to make its debut at the Geneva car show from March 5 to 15 and will go on sale in Europe the same month, owners BMW have announced.

The Mini One Clubman uses an upgraded version of the 1.4-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine turning out 95 horsepower. Combined fuel consumption is given as 5.4 litres per
100 kilometres with a CO2 emission figure of 128 g/km.

Tokyo  - Mitsubishi is to begin trials in Europe with the iMIEV, the egg-shaped city car which goes on sale in Japan this summer.

According to the carmaker's German importer in Hattersheim, the tests will help designers gauge whether the battery-powered sub-compact is suitable for the European market where it could be offered from 2010.

Only 12 Mitsubishi prototypes will be put through their paces, with the number divided between Spain, the Netherlands and Britain. Trials in other countries are set to follow.

Stuttgart  - A striking new museum which celebrates German sports car manufacturer Porsche is to open in Stuttgart on January 31.

The finishing touches are currently being made to the landmark building close to the company's head office in the suburb of Zuffenhausen.