Jim Tyrrell, managing director of Mitsubishi Motors UK, believes the early introduction of end-of-life recycling regulations would “bankrupt everyone in the industry”. The UK Government is proposing to introduce the rules next year instead of 2007, the timetable suggested by the EC. Mr Tyrrell estimates it would cost his company £4m in the first year: “Advancing the legislation has given us no opportunity to make provision.” He is lobbying his local MP and plans to address the Trade and Industry Select Committee, which is preparing to mount an inquiry. An extra £2 a year on the annual road fund licence would finance the cost of disposing end-of-life vehicles (ELV), Mr Tyrrell added. Meanwhile, Colt Cars has been awarded a new five-year contract to distribute Mitsubishis in the UK. There is an option to extend the agreement and sources suggest that it will be at least seven years before DaimlerChrysler is in a position to integrate its UK distributors. (September 28, 2001)