Amsterdam - Dutch nationals buying new cars are increasingly choosing diesel models, according to a report by the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) released on Wednesday.

The CBS said that in 2007, an unprecedented 30 per cent of new private cars were diesel cars.

Seventeen per cent of all Dutch cars run on diesel. This is below the European average of 50 per cent.

In the first six months of 2008, diesel sales in the Netherlands increased by 3.5 per cent compared with the same period in 2007.

By contrast, petrol sales decreased by 0.5 per cent.

Paris - Car makers are preparing to showcase their latest creations mirroring the trend toward funky city cars and fuel efficient compact SUVs at the Paris Motor Show this year.

With the legendary Citroen 2CV celebrating its 60th birthday this year, the French car maker is still holding back on presenting a reinvented "ugly duckling" but will unveil the C3 Pluriel in the twin-coloured look of the famous 2CV Charleston models of the 1980s.

Paris - Seat will launch two additions to the new Ibiza generation with the sporty Cupra and the low-emission Ibiza Ecomotive at the Paris Motor Show next month.

The Cupra comes with the Volkswagen 1.4 TSI engine and seven-speed DSG sequential-shift gearbox with paddel-shifts mounted to the steering wheel.

The Ibiza Ecomotive, available as a five-door and Sport Coupe version, is powered by an 80 hp 1.4-litre TDI engine with the car maker listing fuel consumption at just 3.8 litres per 100 kilometres and a carbon dioxide emission figure of 99 g/km.

Hamburg - Celebrating its tenth anniversary this month, the Smart is finally becoming a rising star in the Daimler company after a bumpy ride and many experts predicting the early demise of the microcar.

When its inventor, the Swiss watchmaker Nicolas G. Hayek, muted the idea of building a city car with space for two adults and a shopping bag it was seen by many as something of a joke.

But with Mercedes-Benz joining the project as co-partner in the Micro Compact Car company, the idea became reality in 1998. However, Hayek soon become disillusioned by the big luxury car maker's approach to the project and eventually sold all his shares to Daimler.

Wolfsburg, Germany - The streaks of colour on concrete bollards, the corners of buildings on car wings and mudguards speak louder than words - parking is a big problem for many motorists, even long after they have passed the driving test.

Carmakers already offer customers a range of on-board sensors and cameras to aid reversing while some models feature dashboard monitors with graphic displays. These are all designed to ease the squeeze into awkward parking spaces, yet the unsightly dents and scrapes on car bodywork persist.

Munich - The timing belt is one of the essential car parts that has to be replaced regularly and motorists are advised to strictly conform to the recommendations listed in the owners manual, according to Germany's automobile association ADAC. Most car makers list a certain amount of kilometres or the age of the vehicle when the timing belt needs replacement.