VOLKSWAGEN has given its luxury people carrier, the Caravelle, a new dashboard and revised trim levels at no extra cost in most versions. It is also the first people carrier, in eight seat form, to have Isofix child seat mounting points.

Meanwhile, Citroen is the world's first car maker to factory fit the latest version of the jam-dodging driver information system Trafficmaster Oracle, as standard equipment on saloon and estate models in its 1999 Xantia range.

Ford award

FORD won two awards for two new vehicles on display at the British International Motor Show in Birmingham. The Ford Focus 1.8-litre Zetec was named best vehicle between £12,000 and £14,000 and the Ford Mondeo was named best estate car in a series of awards presented by the Institute of British Carriage and Automobile Manufacturers.

Kia future

HYUNDAI emerged as the winner in the international auction to purchase troubled Kia Motors, following a third round of bids, despite strong rumours that Ford or auto industry newcomers Samsung would table the winning bid. Early indications are that the two brands will remain separate, but the purchase will allow Hyundai to make significant economies in production, marketing and development.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.