Oct. 20--Electric race on at Tokyo show

The electric car race will be on in Tokyo this week at the Tokyo Motor Show. Expect production and concept debuts from Nissan, Honda and Toyota, according to wire service AFP. But there will be some automakers missing from the show. Several, including General Motors and Hyundai, dropped out.

Nissan plans to build cars in Russia

Nissan plans to start building vehicles in Russia by the end of 2012, using a plant that belongs to its Russian partner Avtovaz. Annually, Nissan plans to make 70,000 Bluebird Sylphly small sedan -- currently sold in Japan -- in Russia, Japan Today reports.

China now fourth largest market for BMW

China Daily reports that BMW's fourth-largest market is now China. During the first nine months of the year, BMW and Mini's sales jumped 32%, allowing China to beat out Italy as BMW's fourth-largest market. BMW builds 3 and 5 series sedans in China as part of its joint venture with Brilliance China Auto.

A place for Ferraris

Even in today's recession-weary economy, there is room for Ferrari, at least according to James May, columnist for the Telegraph and co-host of BBC car show Top Gear. Supercars, May says, are becoming more of a hobby. "They are the ball gowns or cowboy boots of motoring -- not something you'd want to wear every day (to be honest, I've never worn a ball gown at all) but the car world's equivalent of dressing up for a bit of a bash," May writes.

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