Mazda has delivered a dual-fueled RX-8 Hydrogen Rotary Engine vehicle to Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI). It marks the eighth hydrogen rotary engine vehicle to be leased to government bodies and private enterprises, and the first time Japan has adopted a hydrogen vehicle for its daily operations.

The dual-fuel system enables the driver to select either petrol or hydrogen fuel with the flick of a switch. By burning hydrogen, the engine produces only trace amounts of carbon dioxide.

MET I will use the RX-8 Hydrogen RE in its daily operations. Mazda has been developing the engine since 1991. The company conducted public road testing of the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE in 2004. In February 2006, it became the first company in the world to commercially lease hydrogen-powered rotary engine vehicles.

Kia proceeds with Pro-cee'd

Kia Motors Corporation have released the first preview image of its new three-door hatchback model, which is set to make its world premiere with an appearance at this year's Frankfurt International Motor Show in September.

The new model will be named, imaginatively enough, Pro-cee'd.

Based closely on the earlier 'pro-cee'd' concept that was shown at the Paris Motor Show in 2006, the new production model is longer, lower and lighter than its five-door sister car.

It will be manufactured in plants in Slovakia and will be the third member of the Kia cee'd family, joining the established cee'd fivedoor as well as the soon-tobe-released cee'd SW models.

Production of the Procee'd model range is scheduled to begin in November with first customer sales expected during the early months of 2008.

Focus still heading sales lists

Ford's Focus has out-sold its nearest competitor in the first half of 2007 . . . this time by more than 1,500 units . . . putting it on course to be Ireland's best-selling car for the sixth year in succession.

A total of 8,592 Ford Focus models were sold between January and June of this year, representing 5.6% of the overall car market.

Three quarters of all new car purchases are made in the first half of every calendar year.

The top 10 best-selling cars in Ireland for the period of January to June 2007 were: Ford Focus (8,592), Toyota Corolla (6,873), Toyota Avensis (6,627), VW Golf (6,494), VW Passat (5,948), Opel Astra (5,094), Opel Corsa (4,211), Toyota Yaris (4,049), Skoda Octavia (3,737) and Ford Fiesta (3,353).

Nearly 80,000 Focus units have been sold in Ireland since its introduction back in late 1998.