Stuttgart  - Mercedes is expanding its "young classic" business segment to cater to a growing demand for original and well-preserved vehicles built between 1970 and 1990, the car maker has announced.

Many of the Mercedes cars built in that period enjoy "cult status" in Europe and the United States and there is huge demand for vintage cars, Mercedes said in a press statement.

Rome  - Lamborghini has released images of the Murcielago LP 650-4 Roadster which it plans to build in a limited edition of 50 units.

As the name reveals, it will come with a 6.5-litre V12 engine with an output of 478 kW/650 hp and acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. The top speed is listed at 330 km/h. The designation "4" stands for permanent four-wheel drive.

Stuttgart, Germany  - The Daimler company is apparently mooting plans to add a family of small cars to the current Smart with several additions planned for a debut at next year's Geneva Motor Show, the German auto-motor-sport magazine reported quoting company sources.

There are plans for several new models including a one-seater Forone, a new Fortwo, a three-seater Forthree and a variable Forfour, according to the report.

Hamburg  - The big car makers presented a flurry of alternative driving concepts and eco-cars at the recent Geneva Motor Show leaving many a motorist wondering when such cars will be available in the showroom.

The next three years will bring a number of cars onto the roads that have so far only been seen as concept studies at big motor shows or circulated on the internet as teaser images. Yet much of what we have seen lately remains hype and may only appear on our roads 10 years from now.

Seoul  - Kia is offering the Cee'd with start-stop technology on the European market reducing fuel consumption and emission figures by up to 15 per cent, the South Korean car maker has announced.

The Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG) system would be offered for a price of 300 euros (393 dollars) extra for the Vision and Spirit models with the 1.4 and 1.6- litre engines.

Kia would offer the ISG technology later this year also for the 1.6-litre diesel engine and for several 2010 models.

New York  - Despite record losses, the chief of Ford Motors, Alan Mulally, earned 13.6 million dollars in 2008 but has agreed to a huge salary cut for this and next year, Ford motor company said Tuesday.

The 2008 income included 2 million dollars in regular salary plus long-term stock options, the country's second largest car producer said. That amount however was 37 per cent less than the previous year.