BMW boss tells the truth about electric cars. And then has to apologise for doing so.

BMW US CEO Jim O'Donnell - "EVs won't work for more than 90% of drivers" Really, you do have to ask what kind of barking mad world we live in when the boss of a car company is forced to apologise for telling the truth, simply because it upsets a vocal minority (and his bosses, no doubt) We’ve been banging on for years about how useless electric cars are as a replacement for the internal combustion engine, and how they are really only viable as inner-city runarounds and as toys for the better-off. Even then, electric cars have their problems. As inner-city cars EVs certainly do the local environment a favour by transferring emissions to the point of electricity generation instead of the point of use.

SPD and Volkswagen Group launch new program

The Scuola Politecnica di Design and Volkswagen Group Design are continuing their partnership on the Transportation and Car Design Masters by offering a program including scholarships and employment opportunities for the very best candidates. This project focuses on the theme of sustainable urban mobility as interpreted by Audi and Skoda. 20 million people are expected to visit Expo 2015 in Milan leading to congestion problems, and so VW Group wants to see a vehicle that is connected to the brand's concept of ‘freedom, versatility, and swift transport'.

Aston Martin to recall nearly 17,000 cars

Aston Martin has announced it is to recall 16,825 cars globally to rectify an issue that has emerged with the throttle pedal of its cars. Models built between November 2007 and October 2013 will be recalled, the firm says, because they “may exhibit a defect in the throttle pedal”. Aston Martin V12 Vantage S review (2013 onwards) Driving the Lord Mayor’s Show in an Aston Martin This includes 1,382 right-hand drive cars built between May 2012 and 3 October 2013, plus 15,443 left-hand drive cars built between 11 November 2007 and 3 October 2013.