I was expecting a less-than-warm...

I was expecting a less-than-warm reaction to my story from GM"s world HQ in Detroit. But it didn"t come, and neither was there any response from UK division Vauxhall, which has in the recent past sold some pretty unreliable cars. But I did get a call from a concerned senior Detroit auto guy who now finds himself working out of mainland Europe for "the General". He explained that things are changing - across the globe, the world"s number one motor corporation is slowly but surely improving quality. "Indeed, GM is producing great results in quality, and will not rest until it reaches world-class levels in all areas, both measured and perceived," he assured me. To back up his claims, he supplied me with a three-page list of notable and not-so-notable achievements his employer has made in this area. It said the quality gap between GM and the market leaders has shrunk by more than 50 per cent in the past four years, although it doesn"t state exactly how far it still lags behind the likes of Toyota, Mazda and Honda.

It"s hot hatch madness...

It"s hot hatch madness at Renault this summer. The firm is inviting owners of all Renaultsport models to experience the thrills and spills of race car driving at two exclusive track days. For н‚бЈ150, participants get six hours" circuit time at Brands Hatch, Kent, or Oulton Park in Cheshire, a ride with a qualified instructor and lunch. Log on to www.renaultsport.co.uk for details.