Limited-edition Skoda supermini, Kia best-ever sales month, tech-laden Juke, Corvette auctioned for charity
A limited-edition Fabia has been introduced by Skoda. Only 1000 Monte Carlo Tech models will be made, adding equipment to the popular Monte Carlo specification. It's available with two engines, a 1.2-litre TSI petrol and a 1.6-litre TDI diesel. Prices for the Fabia Monte Carlo Tech start at £11,990.
March was Kia's most successful month for sales in its history. The Korean firm sold 12,608 cars last month, a rise of 13 per cent from 2012 and enough for a 3.17 per cent share of the UK new car market. Kia's best-seller is the Sportage SUV, with 5,237 sold so far in 2013.
Nissan has introduced an n-tec specification to its Juke crossover. Based on the Acenta Premium, the n-tec adds the latest Nissan Connect infotainment system, with Google's Send-To-Car route-planning technology. Nissan expects the n-tec to be the best-selling Juke, and it's available with all powertrain combinations. Prices start at £16,295.
Holden has been forced to reduce its staff numbers at two factories as production is scaled back. It has struggled with a strengthening Australian dollar and a competitive market, with the Cruze not selling as expected. It's predicted that 400 workers will lose their jobs in Elizabeth and 100 in Victoria.
The first Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible has been sold at auction for $1m (£652,000). It was bought by Rick Hendrick, owner of Nascar team Hendrick Motorsport, who also paid $1.1m (£717,000) for the first Stingray coupé earlier this year. The money raised has gone to the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.