Electric car manufacturer Tesla said it would press on with its damages action over a Top Gear show after a High Court ruling yesterday.

The number of cars breaking down on Britain's roads after running out of petrol has risen by 14 per cent, according to two insurance companies.

PSA Peugeot Citroën, Europe's second-largest car maker after Volkswagen, will lay off 6,000 people, including 2,500 contractors and 2,500 sales and back-office staff, after a downturn in sales accelerated in September.

These days, the motor industry produces few thoroughbreds. Everyone is used to the idea that a Skoda Octavia is similar to a Golf and that both have a lot in common with an Audi A3. In fact, it's not uncommon for exactly the same model to be offered by several manufacturers under different badges.

What will the car of the future look like? Much the same as today's sombre saloons and humble hatchbacks if next month's RAC Future Car Challenge 2011 is anything to go by. The challenge, on Saturday 5 November (the day before the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run), will see 70-odd ultra energy-efficient cars, from the latest hybrid Toyota and the new Nissan Leaf to Vauxhall's electric Ampera and a host of one-off Heath Robinson creations, attempt to travel the 60 miles from Brighton to London on the least amount of energy possible.

Elizabeth Mann is 59, and although she lives overseas she is set to return to her home in rural Scotland. She will need a 4x4 because of the weather and the poor state of the roads. She previously owned a Subaru Justy. Until full retirement and a pension, she will have to run this car on a part-time income, and as economically as possible. She has up to £15,000 to spend.

Anything which broadens the affluent car-buyer's mind has to be a good thing.

A government plan to make 2011 "the year the electric car took off" appears to have stalled, with uptake of a scheme to promote sales of environmentally friendly vehicles falling dramatically.

The administrator in charge of Saab's reorganisation said last night there is not enough cash to save the car maker, despite yesterday's promise of $70m (£45m) from the US fund North Street Capital.

Were you to be coldly dispassionate about it, you might regard the arrival of the new Bentley Continental GTC as entirely predictable and not really worth much fuss.

Robert Stern has a Renault Megane with 122,000 miles on the clock.

It is the new peril threatening rural tranquility. Ancient bridges have been wrecked, trees uprooted, lamp-posts knocked over and walls flattened.

The world's oldest running motor car, a De Dion Bouton et Trepardoux Dos-a-Dos Steam Runabout from 1884, has entered the history books, selling for an impressive £2.96m at auction in Pennsylvania. The unnamed buyer is said to be only the fifth owner of the car RM Auctions

Mary Reilly is 55, and is looking for a replacement for her much-loved Renault Clio. She covers around 20,000 miles a year for both work and leisure, and is looking for reliability. Mary has heard that Volkswagens are reliable, and is also intrigued by cars from the Far East. She has £8,000 to spend.

Odd car, the outgoing Mercedes B-class.

Mazda will stop producing vehicles with its signature rotary engines in June next year because of poor sales and the costs of meeting emissions standards.

Sales of new cars fell in the vital month of September. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said 332,476 new vehicles were registered last month – 0.8 per cent fewer than in September last year.