Tokyo - Japanese carmaker Nissan aims to reduce the negative environmental impact of the factory painting process with a new generation of water-based colour coatings. The paints will also be available in Japan as aftermarket products.

According to Nissan, the new paint formula contains half the amount of volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde and toluene that are used as paint solvent or adhesive agents. The new technology results in reduced CO2 emissions, cuts energy consumption and significantly reduces waste.

London - British sports car maker Morgan has come up with the ultimate toy for junior enthusiasts of the make - a pedal car based on the company's original three-wheeler.

The Supersport Junior Pedal Car is a stylish replica built to 2/3 scale and uses materials such as aluminium to retain the legendary power-to-weight ratio of the full-size car. Morgan says the pedal trike is designed for 6 to 13-year-olds.

London - The US' appetite for economical diesel-electric hybrid cars is waning as the recession bites and prices at the petrol pumps fall, according to the US-based Autodata motoring information service.

The news is a further blow to beleaguered US car companies General Motors, Chrysler and Ford who have been investing heavily in hybrid and fuel-efficient technology in a bid to attract new customers to the marques.

US hybrid sales fell in November 2008 by 53 per cent over the same month in 2007 against an overall drop in car sales of 37 per cent, reported the Financial Times newspaper in London, quoting the Autodata survey.

Detroit, Michigan  - With a worldwide recession driving car sales sharply lower, this week's Detroit Auto Show left most carmakers touting cheap, fuel-efficient and even electric cars as the wave of the future.

But Fisker Automotive, a California-based startup founded in 2005, is hoping the wealthy are just as interested in the environment as those looking to save money. The company rolled out a production-ready luxury sports car this week with a twin electric and petrol engine.

It took quite a long time for the Ford designers to create the latest concept car, the Lincoln C concept car of the future.  

Finally, after when the car’s design was locked last spring, makers went under strict observation and amendments for months, and at last Lincoln C concept car of the future unveiled Monday in Detroit.

Stuttgart - Fiat chief marketing officer Luca de Meo is to join Germany's Volkswagen grou