News in Brief

Honda is trying to speed up delivery of hydrogen powered FCX after promising it would arrive by 2008 - only to be trumped by GM's announcement that Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell car will go on sale next autumn. Furious Japanese bosses have now ordered project staff to 'hurry up'.

VANDALS are now striking cars parked outside owners' houses rather than in areas monitored by CCTV, says insurance firm Direct Line. More than 40 per cent of damage near private homes across UK compared with six per cent in car parks.

RENAULT'S Lardy Technical Centre near Paris, France, celebrates 10,000th crash test after 50 years. Maker currently has eight models with five-star Euro NCAP crash rating.

A CAR crook who stole Saab 9-5 BioPower Estate from a transporter in Daventry, Northants last week wasn't thinking. Fuel only sold at Morrisons supermarkets and car has eye-catching 'BioPower' decals along each side.