Isuzu Isuzu Large Automobiles 1996 Front Drum [5144380] on 2040-parts.com

The Frankfurt motor show 2009 review, by Ben Oliver

By Ben Oliver Motor Shows 16 September 2009 00:01 Taking the metro to the Frankfurt motor show, I was surrounded by men whose grey suits, lapel badges and reading matter made it obvious they were car company execs heading the same way. In previous years they probably had access to the fleets of chauffeur-driven cars that used to clog the town as they shuttled from airport to exhibition hall to hotel. But Frankfurt, like every other motor show, finds itself in reduced circumstances this year.  The Paris and Frankurt shows alternate, and the comparison with Paris this time last year is instructive.

Kia Naimo EV Concept revealed

The Kia Naimo EV gets revealed in Seoul This week sees the start of the Seoul Motor Show. Which may not be at the top of our list of must-see shows, but with Kia and Hyundai taking over the world we do need to at least sit up and take notice. Today is press day at Seoul and Kia has rocked up with a funky electric CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) – the Kia Naimo – powered by a pair of 27kWh lithium-ion polymer batteries in the boot which power an electric motor that’s good for 108bhp and 207lb/ft of torque.

Green three-wheelers may get Energy Department funding

Aptera Motors, Elio Motors and other companies developing fuel-efficient three-wheeled vehicles got a boost from Congress this week in their quest for federal funding. Legislation to make three-wheeled vehicles eligible for Energy Department loans passed a conference committee of House and Senate leaders Wednesday and then got approval from the full House on Thursday. It is part of an energy spending bill likely to go before the Senate by next week for final congressional passage, a Senate aide said.