Used cars: UK market to remain stagnant

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Ford: fuel cell pioneer

Ford [F] will be trialing fuel cell technology in Canada over the next three years, and hopes to make the cars commercially available by 2020. Fuel cell cars are likely to have a disproportionate impact in the fleet market, where players will have to adapt their fuel management and maintenance strategies to suit the new technologies.

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Superminis: families shrink to fit

Despite a slight decline in overall UK new car sales in May, the supermini segment remains buoyant. Growth in the segment is being driven partly by a focus on low-cost motoring, but the growing size of each successive generation of superminis and changing demographic trends mean that many people simply don't need a bigger car.

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VW: a theoretical debate

The German government has invoked a controversial law to prevent VW from passing into foreign hands, which could incur EU legal action. However, the dispute may well turn out to be purely theoretical as none of VW's rivals look to be in a strong enough position to buy it.<BR />

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New car sales: UK on the up

Despite a weaker economy and two record years in 2001 and 2002, the market for new cars is still strong. Fleet sales usually drive the market on, but this month private sales led the way. The UK market is now one of the cheapest in Europe, offering attractive deals to the individual customer.<BR />

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MG Rover: redundancies loom

Despite MG Rover's improved performance since its separation from former parent BMW, compulsory redundancies still loom for the firm. However, the introduction of a more mainstream vehicle should help to increase volumes and continue the company's progression towards profitability.

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Toyota: sporty marketing increases sales

Japanese carmaker Toyota [TM] continues to perform, once again topping JD Power's US customer satisfaction survey, and increasing sales by 6% in Europe. Clever marketing has helped to project a more sporty image of what used to be seen as staid cars, and could propel it to the global number one spot.

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Fiat: crisis deepens

The latest twists in the Fiat [FIA.MI] story center around the fate of the conglomerate's automotive interests. General Motors [GM] claims that a "put", forcing GM to buy Fiat's auto interests in 2004, is invalid because of Fiat's recent restructuring. This financial uncertainty is leading to increased speculation that the national institution may well be saved by a government buyout.<BR />

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Visteon: buying independence

The world's second largest automotive parts supplier Visteon [VC] is looking to grow beyond the orbit of Ford [F] with new acquisitions. However the company, which was spun off from Ford two years ago, first has to concentrate its efforts on restructuring and weathering the current difficulties in the market.

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TPG: firm footing in China

ANJI-TNT Automotive Logistics Company, part of TPG's [TP] TNT Logistics division, has agreed a five-year, E100 million contract with Shanghai Volkswagen. The deal affirms the joint venture's leading position as a logistics provider to China's booming automotive sector.

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