See this web page... http://www.worldcarfans.com/2060724.006/pml-builds-640hp-electric-mini

This was a one off technology Mule to test the system.

It was developed using in wheel motors from PML... http://www.pmlflightlink.com/index.html

The current project is now being run by Hi-Pa drive... http://www.hipadrive.com/phev.html who are working with Volvo and Ford.

I tried to get some of the motors on a one off basis from PML for a kit car project.... But they were not intersted. PML only really want to work with the Big Manufacturers. Shame really cos you could build a really neat Caterham with these in wheel motors.

As ever, out of date bollocks written by people who listen to their fat gobshite mate down the pub and believe it to be gospel.

Italian cars are no more susceptable to electrical failures than vehicles from Japan are prone to rust or French ones falling apart. No, they're not, don't make things up about owning 319 Italian cars and they have all been wired badly etc. You're lying and you know it.

As for that rag Auto Express, if they wrote the grass is green and the sky is blue I'd take a look out the window. They conjure up bad Photoshop pics and pass them off as genuine, or use third party drawings to fool people into thinking they have genuine insight when they have no more than a few crumbs of a passing conversation. A dire publication that should be embarrassed by it's mediocrity.

Coincidentally, I've been given details about a platform and technology initiative being discussed between two certain automotive companies as well. Hardly a new idea and cost reduction being all the rage right now it makes good business sense.

Nope, it's all true. Never heard the one about rusty japmobiles though.

I had a FIAT Croma on hire recently. Usual FIAT electrics, lucky lotto as to what worked and what didn't when I switched it on. No change since the '70s there. Are you a FIAT salesman by any chance?

I also recently spent a few years in the Czech Republic. At the start I was flown over for three days to find a house. During those days (and remember, this is a place where every antique Soviet Bloc vehicle ever made was to be found at the time), I saw two cars broken down at the side of the road. A Citroen AX and a Peugeot 206.

Last, but not least. A couple of years ago a mate and I were driving down the A1 in his Nissan Primera. It broke down. When the recovery service arrived, we were told that there was nothing they could do but tow it, as they had no Nissan parts or manuals because they never break down. When we queried this, due to the rather obvious broken-down Nissan next to us, they helpfully pointed out that serving that stretch of the A1 for the AA*, RAC*, Green Flag, Europ Assistance, etc. this was the second Nissan they'd seen in five years(!) When we asked what kept them in business, the reply was "Anything French. Or Italian.".........

*Yes, both use third party contractors when they have nothing available themselves.

No I'm not a FIAT salesman. I'd have a lot more time on my hands if I was.

I have however owned two FIATs, three Alfas and currently have two Ducatis. None, not one, have ever suffered electrical problems.

So you're assertion that it's true is bollocks. It's no more than anecdotal experiences, same as mine.