Paris - French auto maker PSA Peugeot Citroen said Wednesday it had earned net profits of 733 million euros (1.16 billion dollars) in the first half of 2008, up by a hefty 49 per cent over the same

Stockholm - Swedish heavy-vehicle maker Volvo on Wednesday reported a 25 per cent increase in pre-tax income for second quarter 2008, citing strong growth in Eastern Europe, South America and Asia.

Pre-tax income was 7.48 billion kronor (1.25 billion dollars), compared to 5.97 billion kronor in the corresponding period 2007 for the Volvo group, excluding the Ford-owned car division.

Net sales were up 13 per cent to 80.4 billion kronor, compared to 71 billion kronor in the corresponding business period 2007 while net income increased 28 per cent to 5.1 billion kronor.

Sydney - Apprentice mechanic Abraham Khouri rides to his Sydney workplace on a scooter rather than in his Honda Civic.

"It takes 80 dollars to fill the car with petrol but this is a two-stroke and we're talking just 15 dollars to get to work each week," said Khouri, one of a legion of converts sending two-wheelers flying out of Australian showrooms.

Motorcycle and scooter sales are rising at double the rate of four-wheeled vehicles, with over 64,000 sold in the first half of 2008. Sales were already up 18 per cent in 2007.

Soaring petrol prices, traffic congestion and perhaps a concern over climate change are driving the trend.

London - Opel will launch its new Insignia at the London Motor Show in July with both a five-door hatchback and sedan version, the car maker announced recently.

Both models are scheduled for European showrooms by November and have similar body designs with a coupe-shaped roofline and replace the old Vectra range.

Seven engines will be available ranging from the four-cylinder 115 hp petrol to the 260 hp V6. The three diesels have an output in the range 110 to 160 hp.

The Insignia features the latest generation AFL Adaptive Forward Lighting system with nine different light beam settings automatically adjusting to different driving conditions.

London - Lotus is planning to unveil an eco-friendly version of the Elise sports car with a holistic approach showing that a car can be built with sustainable materials at the London Motor Show in July.

While other manufacturers are mainly looking at zero-emission drive concepts, the Eco Elise comes with a body and trims built from sustainable materials such as hemp, wool and sisal.

Most of the 100 per cent biologically degradable materials can be found in the seats and carpets, according to the car maker. The paintwork is water based and non-toxic.

In addition, the use of special lightweight alloys and the especially light alpine sound system reduces weight by 32 kilogrammes compared with the production Elise S.

London - Honda has released a teaser image of a low-emission two seater sports car, the Open Study Model (OSM), that will be unveiled at the British Motor Show this month.

The sporty design merges "exciting driving dynamics and more efficient engine technology," according to a Honda press release.

The front is dominated by low-lying grille with narrow headlights stretching from the grille to the wheel arches.