Kochi, which is all decked up for the prestigious India stopover of the acclaimed Volvo Ocean Race 2008,  saw the first arrival in the form of Ericsson 4 on Sunday.

The much-awaited Kochi stop over of the Volvo Ocean Race is just round the corner. The yachts are expected in Kochi on November 29 and 30, three days prior to the stopover start date of December 3.

General Motors has kicked off the European leg of its test programme for fuel cell vehicles. Dubbed as a real-world road test, the programme will run under the umbrella of the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP), a German Federal Department for Transport, Building and Urban Development funded project focused on proving the day-to-day suitability of hydrogen as a fuel for road transport.

Korean auto major Hyundai Motor is seeing an unprecedented acceptance towards its Accent model in the US car market. Dubbed by the company as the most dependable and affordable sub-compact car, the 2009 Hyundai Accent model is available in the US has a starting price of US$9,970.

Bringing a premature end to one of the most hyped endorsement deals, General Motors and golfer Tiger Woods have decided to part ways. The end of the deal has come about a year before the actual termination of the contract period.

Starting February 2009, Porsche will start hitting dealerships with its Cayenne model that would run on diesel. Though there have been speculations on whether Porsche would go in for a diesel model car, a decision on this seems to have been taken by the company.

The Los Angeles Auto Show was witness to the arrival of BMW’s new MINI E. The new electric vehicle from the famed auto maker is a pure electric car, not a hybrid, and runs on lithium-ion batteries.

Lamborghini has readied its new Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder, a car that combines sensual intensity with breathtaking performance.

BMW has launched the electric Mini Cooper, the 2009 BMW Mini E, on November 19, 2008, at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Taking off from the success of the 4.3 litre Vantage N24, Aston Martin Racing is now lining up a 2009 specification Vantage GT4. The car is based on Aston Martin’s new 4.7-litre V8 Vantage.

Mahindra and Mahindra is looking at making a splash in China by lining up exports to the communist nation. The company which is fast readying its fuel-efficient SUV models in the United States, will see China as one of the most potential markets overseas.

Japanese auto giant Toyota has reportedly kick started production of its new five-passenger Toyota Venza.

Peugeot is readying its new Peugeot 107, which will hit the tarmac in early 2009. The new version is being tipped to be a car that will combine style and performance. Price of the new Peugeot 107 is yet to be confirmed.

If a Ducati Monster is not your thing (hey, who are you again?), perhaps we could interest you in one of the new streetbikes from Ducati, the Ducati Streetfighter?

The Renault Sand’up Concept is out. Keeping in line with the Brazilians' taste for sport chic vehicles that boast of a sporty, urban and young attitude, the Sand’up displayed at the Såo Paolo Auto Show has the ability to be transformed into a coupe by manually attaching the hard-top roof using solid anchor points.

Mercedes Benz will construct a small car plant in Hungary by 2012.