LANCIA, one of the most famous names in Italian motoring, is to return to right-hand drive after an absence of 12 years from our shores.

It is to go on sale in the UK and will most likely be on sale here also, although the interest in right-hand drive is more likely linked to the desire to sell the luxury brand in countries like Japan and Australia.

Fiat has 26 dealers here and many are Alfa Romeo dealers (both companies are part of the Fiat empire) but there is no guarantee that the Lancia franchise would be offered at all of these outlets. Only certain Fiat dealers have the Alfa Romeo franchise and this may apply also to the Lancia brand for reasons of exclusivity.

The Delta HPE (high performance estate) will be the first model to be offered.

Four seats good, two seats bad for Toyota's tiny Endo

IF you thought the Aygo was small you will have to look even harder to see what's on the way next from Japan. A city car called the Endo from Toyota could see off the Smart ForTwo as it is about the same size but will carry four people. The car is being tested in Japan and there are rumours that Toyota decided to go ahead with the project after studying the baby Smart and the Peugeot 107.

It has a big windscreen, tall sides and virtually no boot which will make for easy parking. Doors open wide to make it easy for the rear-seat passengers to get in and out. Production is due to begin next year, possibly using the Aygo/Yaris one-litre engine.

Korean manufacturer Hyundai is thinking big with the imminent arrival of the Terracan's replacement, the Veracruz, in the European markets.

This SUV is a large vehicle with a steeply raked windscreen and a rising waistline, which gives it a very trendy appearance. But the surprise may be on the inside.

Korean marketing people are saying there is more room in their vehicle than in the new Mercedes Benz GL.