Mexico's motoring hopes ride on new Mastretta roadster

Tag : Tequila Mexico

A select group of motor experts that have already seen the car haveraved about the styling and power of the lightweight vehicle, whichhas a price-tag of about £33,000.
The company admits that the Mastretta still needs to pass a coupleof certification tests but full production is scheduled to begin inJanuary and orders will be taken at the show.
The plan is to build about 150 cars, of which 80 will be right-handdrive. Britain, with its love affair with small sports cars, isseen as a key market, which is why the vehicle is being unveiled inBritain.
The company hopes to take the Mastretta into the US, but must stillovercome crash safety and emissions regulations. More on autos
Also at the show, Lotus will unveil its first all-new car in 13years. Codenamed Project Eagle - the real name will be revealed atthe show - the car features a V6 Toyota engine. Eagle is thought tobe a replacement for the Esprit, which was discontinued in 2004 andleft Lotus without a competitor to the Porsche 911.
In recent years, the British Motor Show has been considered farless important than rival events in Geneva, Tokyo, or Detroit.
The organisers have been frantically lobbying the big motormanufacturers in an attempt to re-establish the event as animportant part of the motor show calendar.
And they seem to have had some success. About 25 cars are due tomake their world premieres, including the Vauxhall Insignia, FordFocus RS, and a 200mph Bentley Flying Spur.
Electric vehicles and other "green" cars will also featureprominently, including the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic.
Despite the glitz and glamour, though, behind the scenes there willbe much talk of the clouds gathering over the global automotiveindustry.
Credit Suisse analyst Arndt Ellinghorst says the industry could beabout to enter a "warning season" following the recent sharpdecline in economic conditions.
He said: "Most companies are heading for 'old-world' financialtargets for this year and for 2009. Since executives can't performmiracles, the unprecedented external environment will more likelylead to target revisions."
Of the major motor manufactures, he thinks Renault and BMW arebeing hit hard. "But besides official profit warnings, 'soft'company outlooks will undoubtedly reflect increased macroconcerns."