Big Yin's bike is up for grabs

The Harley-Davidson tricycle used by Scottish comedian Billy Connolly during his 1995 'World tour of Australia' is being sold by Sotheby's on-line at www.sothebys.amazon.com. Bidding ends today.

The 'chopper' style trike, painted purple and engraved 'the big yin', between Scottish thistles on the crank cover, is expected to fetch 9,000 to 12,000.

Expansion plans

Aston martin plans to submit a formal planning application for its new research and engineering centre at Gaydon, near Banbury, within the next few weeks. The centre will be on the 900-acre Land Rover test site just 11 miles from the company's existing DB7 sports car plant at Bloxham.

Jam buster

Travel News, the joint venture between ITN and traffic information firm Trafficmaster, has launched the country's first 'real-time' traffic service. The service is broadcast live every 15 minutes on the newly-launched ITN News Channel from 6am to 9am daily.

New hatchback

Suzuki has launched a three-door hatchback version of the Baleno. The GSR 1.8-litre is priced at 10,278 on the road until September 30, following a ten per cent cut in price.

Sales boost

Alfa Romeo has just posted its highest monthly market share of the year with sales up 35 per cent over April. The firm's sales have been boosted by the arrival of the stylish new Sportwagon.

Ambulance deal

Volvo is producing a new ambulance based on the luxury S80 saloon. On sale next January, the S80 follows co-operation between Volvo and ambulance manufacturer Wiman.

Net gain

EasyJet boss Stelios Haji-Ioannou has launched an Internet-only car hire firm www.easyRentacar.com using 4,000 Mercedes-Benz A-class models based at various sites around Europe.

Smart cars

Britain's first official Smart car sales centres will open for business on October 17. The first will be in West London, Birmingham and Milton Keynes.