A spokesman for the...
A spokesman for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which stages the event, told Auto Express: "Everything is up for grabs - and that includes the venue." The news will be a blow to the thousands of Midlands companies which get a massive profits boost when the bi-annual expo is on.
The special edition...
The special edition was unveiled at this week"s Tokyo Motor Show, complete with a striking orange paint job and retro plastic wheel covers.
Resulting from a joint venture between Fiat"s Style Centre and Italian design company Alessi, the city car drew a big crowd at the event. Visitors with an eye for detail will have spotted the famous Alessi "little man" logo on the wheels, while the bumpers and side mouldings are redesigned and finished in white.
Garish seat trim matches the bright paintwork, while many of the dash controls have also had a makeover, with new materials and shapes, plus fresh-looking instrument dials.
Alessi bills itself as a "factory of Italian design", and makes everything from stainless steel kettles to fashionable clocks. Keen to develop its link with the motor industry, the firm has worked with Fiat on similar motor show projects in the past.