Fiat and BMW ready to announce deal

[ad#ad-1] Don’t mention the war, Basil! The Germans and Italians look like they’re getting in bed together again, but this time the axis could provide some goodies for us all, and some cost saving benefits for both BMW and Fiat. Fiat, in a strong position after posting their best ever figures for 2008, is on a bit of a rampage at the moment, looking to take advantage of the problems in the car industry that could end up pushing them up the car makers league table, even to the heights of the #1 car maker in the world, Toyota.

Dutch factory announced for new Mini

THE NEW Mini is to be built in Holland as well as the UK, owner BMW has announced. The German motor giant said production of the Mini Hatch will be split between its factory in Oxford and a site in Nedcar in Born. Around 1,500 workers will build the new Mini in Holland from this summer at a factory run by BMW's Dutch partner VDL Nedcar.

Button blasts noise detractors

JENSON BUTTON has delivered a damning response to any Formula One driver bemoaning the sport's current lack of noise. The piercing scream of the old 2.4-litre V8 engines has been replaced by the more textural sound of the new 1.6-litre V6 turbo-charged power units, and it has caused a considerable furore. Following the Australian Grand Prix race chairman Ron Walker was left fuming, suggesting he had grounds for a lawsuit as he felt the lack of sound compromised his contract with Bernie Ecclestone.