Daily automotive news and comment - from just-auto.com

THE WEEK THAT WAS: More US doom 'n' gloom - July 4, 2008

US June and half-year sales news was dire, as expected, with even the mighty Toyota affected but it wasn't nearly as bad on the opposite side of the world where sales records are being broken. For now, anyway.
http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?ID=95339

UK: Rising costs dampen car buyer enthusiasm - July 4, 2008

New car registrations in the UK in June fell 6.1% to 209,190 units trade group SMMT said on Friday
http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?ID=95338

GOLDING'S TALK: If you see a hatch, batten it - July 4, 2008

The kids don't know it yet. They are still dancing till dawn. But some of us who have the benefit of hindsight and the privilege of perspective believe that a serious recession is imminent. A strong view of the outlook is invited by recent announcements by Ford and M&S - both legendary marketeers in their respective regions and sectors.
http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?ID=95337

US: Ford axes truck plant shifts - July 4, 2008

Ford is planning deeper cuts than expected at its idled Kentucky truck plant due to resume operations on 4 August.
http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?ID=95336

SOUTH AFRICA: Lexus hybrids to go on sale - July 4, 2008

Toyota South Africa is to add two high-performance Lexus hybrid models to its range.
http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?ID=95335

GERMANY: Redesigned BMW flagship breaks cover - July 4, 2008

Pictures and details of BMW's redesigned 7-series flagship have appeared on internet sites world-wide ahead of the 'official' release.
http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?ID=95334

GERMANY: BMW has high hopes for fifth generation 7-Series - July 4, 2008

BMW is expecting the new fifth generation 7-series to be the best-selling generation of the model.
http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?ID=95333

GERMANY: VW cancels European pick-up production - July 4, 2008

Volkswagen has decided not to go ahead with plans to assemble a pick-up for the European market at its Hannover commercial vehicle plant.
http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?ID=95332

UK: Limited-edition Fiat aimed at young mums - July 4, 2008

Fiat's UK unit has launched a limited edition small car aimed at young mothers.
http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?ID=95331

UK: Kia lowers CO2 output on some models - July 4, 2008

Kia has altered specifications and tuning of some models in the UK to reduce the amount of annual 'road tax' paid under the country's CO2-emissions-based scheme.
http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?ID=95330