>> ASIAONE / MOTORING / NEWS / ARCHIVE 2008 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2007 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Over 30 motorists caught for drink driving in islandwide bust More than 1 in 5 motorists pulled over for breathalyser tests were arrested for drink driving in Traffic Police operation early Tuesday morning. -ST CBD area gets 15 new taxi stands This brings the total number of taxi stands in the CBD to 95. -ST Drag racing mother arrested in Australia 29-year-old clocked at almost twice the speed limit with her two children aboard. -AFP Germany begins ban on polluting cars in city centres Estimated 1.7 million old diesel cars and vans will be prohibited from driving in central areas. -AFP 336 killed in Thai New Year road accidents 85 people were killed on Dec 30, while 84% of the accidents involved motorcycles. -AFP Renault Samsung ordered to recall 68,000 cars S Korean subsidiary of France's Renault to cars due to problems with the fuel system. -AFP But can they really handle it? Accidents involving young people go up Hikes in 2nd Link tolls from Feb 1 Higher rates are 'pegged to those set by Malaysia', said LTA. -ST China's former F1 track chief jailed 4 years Yu Zhifei was found guilty of embezzling $201,557 in public funds to buy home at reduced price. -AFP Getai singer gets fine, driving ban for drink driving He was fined $2,500 and banned from driving for 18 months for drink driving. -ST Younger sibling jailed last week, now it's elder brother's turn Property agent jailed for a week, fined $4,000 and banned from driving for 2 years Demand for taxis falls since fare hike but cabbies' income unaffected Market leader ComfortDelGro Corp says data shows cabbies' earnings have actually risen. New car for the new year with ZapCode 31-year-old project manager gets a new car for 2008 after 'trying his luck'. 'Hey...want to take cab? No surcharge for peak hours' Passenger drought after fare hike forcing cabbies to come up with strategies to draw customers. -ST French police catch drunk-driver - on wrong side the road 'VISIBLY drunk' motorist drove up to 30km on the wrong side of Paris ring-road. -AFP Motor racing: Raikkonen expects a fun season in new Ferrari Lack of traction control and potential for more crashes is biggest issue for the world champions. -Reuters Will Honda overtake Toyota? Singaporeans are still buying more Toyotas than any other brand of car. But will it retain its slim lead over Honda much longer? Fastlane: Pounding effect of petrol prices CAR owners in Britain are leaving their vehicles at home more often since petrol prices broke through the ?1 (S$2.83) per litre barrier at the beginning of November last year. Parallel importer hit by debts Several motorists have been caught in a bind: They have bought new cars through a parallel importer now being hounded by its creditors, and have been told by another company to pay more money in order to have their cars registered and delivered. -ST Fastlane: 1-series to make official debut in Singapore At current COE levels, the car is expected to retail for around $100,000. Lorry extension deathtraps in M'sia Most extensions, or overhangs, that allow small trucks and lorries to carry longer and heavier loads, do not have proper or well-located reflectors, which add to the danger posed to other motorists. -The Star Extra lightweight Lotus Authorised distributor EuroSports Auto says the cars are due to arrive later next month and they are for track use only. Corolla catalyst? It looks like the new Toyota Corolla Altis might just kickstart the sleepy new car market. Sweeter Chery Chinese carmaker Chery has just introduced Singapore's cheapest sport-utility vehicle. Honda and hamper Authorised Honda distributor Kah Motor is giving away a Eu Yan Sang hamper worth $188 for every car booked until the start of Chinese New Year. China triple collision kills at least 10 Bus collided with a tanker and another bus, killing 10 people and injuring about 50. -Reuters Two injured in lorry-motorcycle accident Motorcyclist and her pillion rider injured after their motorbike collided with a lorry along Changi South Street. -ST Johor stops S'poreans from buying palm oil-based cooking oil Officers deployed at Causeway and Second Link to check S'pore vehicles. Discount ads on taxis illegal, says LTA Marketing tactics and soliciting are against company rules and the law Confused by taxi New fare system has some commuters scratching their heads. Chrysler dismisses alliance rumours Struggling automaker dismissed rumours of new alliances but said there is room to grow existing partnerships. -AFP US$2,500 People's Car Environmentalists worry that car so cheap could increase pollution and India's dependence on oil imports. -Reuters Price check Taxi fares are up, but passengers here still pay lower fares than in some cities in Asia. Correspondents at Straits Times bureaus across Asia checked the price of a 10km ride. Motor racing: Hamilton sees a kindred spirit in Kovalainen Lewis Hamilton expects McLaren to be a far more harmonious team now that Heikki Kovalainen has replaced Fernando Alonso. -Reuters Pillion rider had drinks before motorcycle accident Marine inspector who fell off motorcycle while riding pillion had been drinking. Mat Rempit ride into new careers Adrenalin rush each time Wan Bahari Nasir Khan pitted his racing skills against 200-odd bikes. They're not going to be turned on... yet ERP gantries being built, but charges to start only when congestion does. Cabby says: Pay me $40 to clean up vomit Passengers refuse and end up in scuffle with cabby. Motorists to face five new ERP gantries They are mainly in the heart of residential areas Formula One: Raikkonen happy with new Ferrari Team tested it for the first time at the Fiorano circuit near the team's Maranello base. -AFP Formula One: McLaren unveil new car for 2008 Team boss Ron Dennis believes it will be competitive in world championship this year. -AFP Formula One: Dennis set to lower profile at McLaren Unveiling of new car at Stuttgart, seen as sign of likely increase in influence by the German company. -AFP Motor racing-Fisichella set for Force India drive Italian set to drive for Force India F1 team this season with Vitantonio Liuzzi taking role of tester. -Reuters Latest COE results show fewer bids Premiums ended largely flat, despite longer-than-usual bidding period that should have garnered more orders. -ST BMW claims top spot among luxury car makers in 2007 It registered a 9.2 per cent increase in sales to 1.5 million vehicles. -AFP Chauffeur service offers 8m super-stretch limo Presenting the Chrysler 300, Singapore's longest passenger car, which is just over 8 metres. Six-car pileup on Tampines Expressway Pileup along express way caused a traffic jam early on Thursday morning. $10,000 per head Ferrari agent to help reserve S'pore GP paddock seats. 3 die after car rams into wandering cows on N-S highway After hitting a cow, the driver apparently lost control of the car. The vehicle hit the road divider and veered onto a grass patch. Have driving phobia? Stay off the roads UK woman, 57, faces driving ban for going too slow on highway. Hit & run or hit & help? Driver takes boy to mall after accident to clean wounds. Boy claims driver left him there. Driver claims he left when boy did not return. I had no choice but to jump on car Man claims confrontation turns ugly after woman driver shows him finger. Wanted: Volunteer marshals for S'pore GP Registration starts today and 800 slots are available for the F1 race on Sept 28. Market Street Car Park may convert to $1.5b office site Move comes as concerns rise over Raffles Place's parking crunch. Proton's future rests with new model It's the first to be launched since end of talks with VW. Slow down in car sales Weaker sales in fourth quarter may spill over into new year as COE supply expected to fall. Sales sprint as sporty beasts roar on roads Sports car boom in Singapore expected to continue through 2008 with buoyant economy. Toyota given 2-yr deadline Team warned by parent company that things must improve, or they face being withdrawn. Who pays for damage caused by fallen branch? On Oct 30 last year, I had an unpleasant experience when large tree branches fell on my car as I was driving at high speed along the Ayer Rajah Expressway. Formula One: Wurz back behind the wheel with Honda The Austrian will be Honda's test and reserve driver, despite going into retirement last October. -AFP World's cheapest car gets pop star welcome Dealer price of US$2,500 is as pledged five years ago, even though commodity prices have gone up and despite rivals' claims such a knock-down price was impossible. -Reuters Sports motorbike stripped of parts It was stripped of both tyres, fairings, outer plastic covering, sprockets and in-vehicle unit. -ST Glitch fixed at CNG refuelling station Breakdown at S'pore's sole CNG refuelling station has been fixed after almost 2 weeks. -ST Meanest Mum sells son's car Yesterday, she was the meanest Mum on the planet. Today, the coolest. 54% of drivers don't pass through ERP gantries on the way to work Even though each time tolls on S'pore's roads rise, a chorus of complaints sounds from drivers across the island. -ST Fastlane: New Superb coming Skoda has unveiled the new Superb, which measures 4,838mm by 1,783mm. Fastlane: Rolling good times Rolls-Royce is finally on a roll, with 1,010 cars sold last year. Driving notes: First GT-R in S'pore Only one word can describe it: breathtaking. Driving notes: A new beginning Developed over four years at a cost of 500 billion won (S$763.8 million), the Genesis boasts 53:47 front/rear weight distribution for dynamic handling. Driving notes: Smaller Hummer With an eye on the current high price of gasoline, the HX has a 3.6-litre FlexFuel V6 engine that can run on petrol or a blend of petrol and ethanol. Driving notes: Petrol-electric Panamera The Porsche Panamera will be the first four-door sports model to feature fuel-efficient full parallel hybrid technology. Citroen apologises to China for scowling Mao ad Ad features distorted image to show Mao's lips screwed up and eyes squinting. -Reuters Carpooling starts to catch on as transport costs rise Net sites offer rides that help all parties to save money. BMW Sauber ready to challenge top two F1 teams Team determined to get first grand prix victory this season. Car population up 9% despite slowdown in car sales The unusual expansion was three times the allowable 3 per cent growth cap put in place by the Govt. -ST Driver's near miss: Fallen tree branch pierces windshield 2m-long tree branch skewered woman's car as she drove along Bedok South Road in torrential rain. Fallen-branch incident was unforeseeable Extraneous factors such as strong wind and heavy rain can cause branches of even healthy trees to fall. Parallel import car sales zoom One out of every five new cars sold here last year was a parallel import unit Without traction control, Alonso tops testing on Renault return The Spaniard finally got behind the wheel of a Renault - and posted the fastest time. Chinese brands cautiously prepare for U.S. market Chinese automakers appeared to take one step closer to entering the coveted U.S. market as a record five companies exhibited at the North American International Auto Show. China's Chery seeks 26 pct car sales growth in '08 Chery Automobile, China's fourth largest car maker, aims to sell 26 percent more vehicles in 2008 as it steps up exports and launches more new models. Coulthard says others share his safety concerns Some Formula One drivers are reluctant to speak out about safety concerns for fear of being considered soft, Red Bull's David Coulthard said on Wednesday. Don't accept lifts from drink-drivers, warns RAC Almost one in five young people got into a car this Christmas believing the driver was over the drink limit, according to a survey. New system gave McLaren a head start, say Renault Formula One's switch to a standard electronic control unit has given McLaren a head start as makers of the system. Red Bull look forward to more reliable future The Renault-powered team, fifth overall last season after scoring points in just six of the 17 races, set their sights on challenging for regular podium places. Glock puts Toyota on top in Jerez testing Formula One newcomer Timo Glock put Toyota on top of the testing timesheets on Wednesday after he cast doubt on the performance of their new car. 5 lorries 2 collisions 53 injured Five lorries, two separate collisions seconds apart and only metres from each other. 6,000 bookings received for newly-launched Proton Saga in M'sia Bookings had increased since M'sian PM posed with the car at the KL Convention Centre. -The Star Teen dies after being flung from car in crash Car mounted kerb along Mandai Road before hitting tree. -ST Demand for off-peak cars peaks Are there more off-peak cars or taxis on the road here? Pat yourself on the back if you said off-peak cars. Evo X, WRX STi hog Auto Salon limelight The spirit of the Auto Salon was aptly captured with new song and dance items from Japan's best race queens. Fastlane: TTS power Suspension, steering and brakes have been revised to distinguish the TTS from the TT. Drivers' earnings up, cab waiting times down: Raymond Lim Transport Minister said fare revision 'effective' in meeting increasing demand for taxis in CBD. Taxis queue at Paragon... but no passengers IF some drivers are to be believed, taxi prices are going up but their earnings are going down. Toyota to make sure drivers awake at wheel System will verify drivers' eyes are fully open. More deaths, injuries on S'pore's roads in 2007: Traffic Police S'pore roads seems to have become more dangerous for drivers, riders and pedestrians. Cops to 'ring-fence' nightspot areas to sniff out drink drivers Traffic police to seal off all routes out of major drinking areas with roadblocks. -ST COE prices tumble as buyers step on the brakes Buying faltered amid downbeat forecasts and expectations of tax cut in car registration. Will Formula One steal the show at Chingay? People's Association partners Red Bull Austria to bring in first F1 car to power down S'pore streets. Homeward bound motorist affected by this 12 workers and driver hurt in bus-lorry crash in Ang Mo Kio Runaway car crashes into house in M'sia The driver, who was believed to have been drunk, was not injured and managed to get away. Sneaking out of Singapore Two men cram into boot of Proton Wira saloon in bid to leave Singapore. Getting out of bus lanes - a daily hassle for bus drivers Bus drivers say they face inconsiderate motorists daily when manoeuvring out of bus lanes. Govt to accelerate MRT expansion Two new lines to double network length to 278km by 2020; first stage of Circle Line to open next year What's happening with cabbies' earnings? Drivers are seeing their income inch back up to the pre-hike rate of $100 to $120 a day. -ST Fastlane: M3 gets folding hard roof BMW'S new M3 Convertible is the first M car to have a retractable hard roof and the first BMW to have a dual-clutch transmission. Fastlane: Dubai's stuck in traffic Traffic jams cost Dubai US$1.25 billion (S$1.78 billion) a year, equivalent to 3.15 per cent of its GDP. Fastlane: Corolla Altis bookings open The 10th-generation Corolla Altis is longer, wider, taller and better equipped than its predecessor, and will be manufactured in Thailand. Fastlane: Audi's diesel R8 Audi has showcased a diesel version of its stunning R8 sports car. Fastlane: Sexy Suzie Suzuki is just getting sexier and sexier. Its curvaceous Concept A-Star hints strongly at what its next core model will be like. 'Flying car' in Woodlands HE heard the loud screeching of tyres behind him, and turned around. To his horror, he saw a car mount the kerb and come hurtling towards him. Alonso more motivated after McLaren experience Fernando Alonso's unhappy experience at McLaren last season has made him a more committed and professional driver. Three cars pull over 1 million dollars each at US auction The week-long annual Barrett-Jackson sale of collector cars in Scottsdale, Arizona also saw buyers put out one million dollars for a brand new 2009 Corvette ZR-1. Heidfeld says new BMW F1 car needs to improve German driver Nick Heidfeld has expressed concern about the performance of BMW Sauber's new Formula One car after testing it in Spain. Formula One teams face budget cap from 2009 Mosley said that the FIA would decide, based on the outcome of that preliminary meeting, on a figure for the budget cap in 2009 and possibly 2010 and 2011. Chrysler executive says fuels key to success Chrysler showed off three "green" concept vehicles at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit last week, including an electric model. Next F1 team to spy will be thrown out, says Mosley McLaren were fined $100 million and stripped of all their 2007 constructors' points for a controversy involving Ferrari information. Ferrari and McLaren still ahead of the rest Formula One teams wrapped up three days of testing in Valencia on Thursday with Ferrari and McLaren still setting the pre-season pace with their new cars. Massa hopes for better luck in 2008 Ferrari's Felipe Massa has ruled out doing anything differently this year despite being beaten to the Formula One title by team mate Kimi Raikkonen last season. More priority to be given to buses, with penalties for rule violators New measures will shorten bus delays, speeding up transport time for commuters. 7 more public transport hubs It's not how you get there, but where you're going. No more penalties for transfers. S'pore's traffic woes are minor: US don Urban planning specialist says local policies have kept roads here flowing and gridlock-free. Bus arrival panel is great - when it's accurate: Survey That's what 100 commuters polled by The Sunday Times felt about a $1 million pilot project by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) that tells commuters when their bus is arriving. NParks searching for tree in crash A DAY after a 2m branch crashed straight through a woman's windscreen as she drove along Bedok South Road, the authorities took her back to the spot - t