£5000 electric car grants to cut a quarter off EV price

British motorists will qualify for grants lopping a quarter off the price of electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen cars – up to a maximum of £5000 discount – the Government confirmed this week. The Office for Low Emissions Vehicles, which launched six months ago, said the new grants would come into force from January 2011 as part of a £230 million low-carbon car incentive programme. Car buyers will qualify for the Plug-In Car Grant from an approved list of low-carbon cars.

Nissan-Conran

Nissan and British design group Conran have unveiled 'Plus Conran' limited versions of the Cube, March (Micra) and Lafesta minivan for the Japanese market. The series follows Nissan's 'Modern Living Concept', which stresses advanced design values in cabins, first introduced with the Teana in 2003, and seen in the the Amenio concept minivan, shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2005. Cube + Conran features leather seats emphasizing texture and color, enhancing and refining the sofa-like feel of the Cube seats.

Mazda Motorsports names John Doonan director

Mazda North American Operations on Friday promoted John Doonan to director of Mazda Motorsports, effective immediately. Doonan joined Mazda North American Operations in 2003 and worked in the company's advertising and marketing department. He became manager of motorsports team development before 2005.