Six major car makers, including Toyota, Honda and Nissan, are recalling nearly 3.4 million older-model vehicles throughout the world because of defective airbags that can send shrapnel flying into the passenger compartment.

FRIENDS of a Co Sligo businessman who suffered severe head injuries in an unprovoked attack on a trip to Belfast are to rally around their colleague.

Cash-strapped Ford Motor Company took a step toward selling its Jaguar and Land Rover units today when it received an undisclosed number of opening bids for its British automaking businesses.