This next generation prototype is already living up to its ‘Swift’ namesake with Suzuki’s latest little model spied during skidpan handling tests.

Due to make its official debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, as Suzuki’s best-selling model globally the new version is expected to be Swift by name and Swift by nature. read more…

After exclusive spy pictures of Ford Australia testing the upcoming Ford Ranger/Mazda BT-50, our spy guy has now snapped some interesting photos of Ford Australia testing a new small car based on the Ford Verve concept.

The new small car will be used throughout India as Ford’s new entry level model, and will also makes its debut in Brazil and Europe. read more…

While General Motors thrashes out the intricacies of its future in a US bankruptcy court, across in Europe the future of its loss-making Opel/Vauxhall subsidiary also hangs in the balance.

It seems increasingly likely that a majority chunk of GM Europe will end up in the hands of Canadian car parts maker Magna International and its Russian banking partners. read more…

The New York Times reports, “While the global recession has sent prices plummeting on airfares, hotels and cruises, it is having the opposite effect on rental cars.  In May, the average rate for a weekly airport rental of a compact car booked seven days in advance was $345.99, up a whopping 73 percent compared with $199.65 for the same month last year.”

Why the dramatic increase  Autoblog explains, “There are fewer vehicles to rent, as companies like Hertz and Avis have cut back on the amount of vehicles that they’re buying. read more…