Eco-award goes to the Primera

The Nissan Primera was voted first in class by the Association for Transport and Environment of Switzerland in its annual survey to find the most environmentally friendly car. The Nissan Primera 1.8-litre, launched in September last year, topped the medium-sized category for family cars. The evaluation takes into account fuel consumption and exhaust emissions, as well as performance-related factors such as maximum speed.

206 tops million

The company is celebrating the one millionth 206 to be built after only 20 months on the market. With 3,000 units currently built each day and the rate still increasing, the Peugeot 206 is now built in five locations: Mulhouse and Poissy in France, Argentina, Brazil and in Coventry where production currently stands at more than 4,000 units per week. Currently the top selling retail car in the UK, the range will be extended in October with the release of the 206 coupe-cabriolet with an electrically retractable rigid roof.

Limited offer

Malaysian car maker Proton has launched a new limited edition of the Wira 1.5 LXi 'S' LE four-door, priced at 7,999 on the road. A five-door version is also available at the same price. The firm is also marketing 1.6-litre versions with anti-lock braking systems at 9,299. Just 500 of the limited edition cars will be sold in the UK.

Silver patrol

POLICE in Kent have switched its latest Ford Focus patrol cars from white to silver. The force says the new cars are much more noticeable and have the advantage of being easier to sell than white ones. The nine diesel-powered Focus cars are being used for long-term evaluation by the force which runs an 800-strong fleet.

Roma grow

The Moto-roma scooter range, launched a year ago by EP Barrus, of Bicester, has grown to nine scooters, commuter motorcycles and a range of children's mini-quad bikes. The firm said sales have exceeded original expectations and the Moto-roma GoGo 50 appears consistently in the list of top ten selling 100cc scooters. Users include traffic wardens in Croydon and Greenwich and a firm of London couriers.

Goodyear give-away

Goodyear is giving away a 10 book called Exploring Britain to motorists who buy two Goodyear Eagle high-performance tyres from any of the 400 Hi-Q tyre stores throughout the UK. The offer of the book, which details 30 of the most scenic drives in the UK, finishes on July 28.

Economy record for Insight

The all-new Honda Insight coupe has set a new UK fuel economy record of 103 mpg after completing a non-stop 3,737 mile 'Round-Britain' run. Honda hopes to re-write the Guinness Book of Records once all the details of its record run have been verified by the publisher next month. The full figure of 102.65 mpg smashes the existing petrol-car record (85.96 mpg) set back in 1993 and is believed to be a world record for a standard production car driving on public roads. The Insight goes on sale on September 1, priced at 17,000 on the road, powered by a petrol engine and an electric motor.

Top honour

The award-winning Fiat Multipla has added another significant media accolade to its collection Best MPV in this year's Fleet World Honours. A combination of the Multipla's practicality, flexibility, versatility and value for money were sufficient to carry the day against strong competition from the Renault Scenic, Volkswagen Sharan and Vauxhall Zafira.