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Mercedes-Benz axes Maybach

High ranking Mercedes-Benz sources have confirmed to Autoweek that the underperforming Maybach brand will be officially killed off in 2013. The decision to disband Mercedes-Benz’s upper luxury marque comes after a decade of disappointing sales for the Maybach 57 and 62 and a recent decision from the German car maker’s chairman Dieter Zetsche not to push ahead with the development replacement models – the likes of which were tentatively due out in 2014 – owing to what one insider describes as a “positive move to focus greater attention on the Mercedes-Benz brand” . “We’ve come to the conclusion that it is better to cut our losses with Maybach than to continue into an uncertain future with a brand that has failed to live up to original sales expectations," the insider said.

Smoking in cars to be banned

MPs in the House of Commons have voted in favour of amendment to the Children and Families Bill, thereby recommending a ban on smoking in cars when there are children present in England. The vote does not force the government to bring such a change into law, but has passed with a substantial majority and the recommendation is seen to have substantial public support. Labour calls for ban on in-car smoking with children Smoking in cars ‘breaks toxic limit’ During voting last night, 376 MPs supported the amendment, with 107 in opposition – giving the proposed ban a substantial 269-vote majority.

2013 Fiat Panda 4×4 revealed ahead of Paris 2012

Fiat has revealed the 2013 version of the Panda 4×4 ahead of a public debut at the Paris Motor Show in September. The Fiat Panda might not be as cool as the Fiat 500 (oh, alright, it’s not cool at all), but it is a much better car than you might expect. Sadly, Fiat no longer build the Panda 100HP – as quick a way round urban traffic as you’ll ever find – but they are continuing with the Panda 4×4 and have just revealed a new version.