2011 Kia Magentis / Kia Optima revealed

Kia has revealed the 2011 Kia Optima / Kia Magentis ahead of a reveal at the New York Motor Show in April You might reasonably expect that Kia are teasing the 2011 Kia Magentis (or Kia Optima, as it is in the US) ahead of a reveal at the Geneva Motor Show. After all, every other car maker is at it at the moment. But Kia are teasing this ahead of the next big motor show after Geneva – the 2010 New York Motor Show – which isn’t until April.

Fiat set to grab 51 per cent of Chrysler

Sergio Marchionne wants majority at Chrysler What a difference a couple of years makes. On May Day in 2009 we reported that Chrysler had been put in to Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and the US Government was stepping in to ease the pain with $7.5 billion (admittedly at somewhat less than mates-rates) and that the management were ‘leaving the building’. Step forward Fiat to take up a 20% stake in Chrysler and Fiat boss, Sergio Marchionne, who planned to lead Chrysler away from the dark side and in to the light, with the promise of smaller and more efficient platforms and engines.

Exhibition: Taxis of the World

The 'Taxis du Monde' exhibit recently held at the Paris Motor Show displayed a total of 40 taxis from 20 cities around the world, illustrating the evolution and diverse needs of the past, the present and even the future. Renault’s Type AG from 1913 is one historical example. One of the first Parisian taxis, it became known as the “Taxi of the Marne” after 1300 examples transported 6000 men to head off the German army in the first world war.