1999 in motoring
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1999 in motoring deals with developments in the automotive industry that occurred throughout the year 1999 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country.
The Ford Fiesta supermini received a facelift in October and added the "Zetec S" model that has a 1.6 16-valve Zetec engine while early in the year the Nissan-based Maverick ends production.
The Vauxhall Vectra was updated in April and the automaker also become one of the first manufacturers to sell its cars over the internet. The Sintra MPV is axed and while not a direct replacement in terms of size, a new Astra-based model, the Zafira, would launch in June 1999, offering a flexible interior which allows the seats to be folded flat into the floor and the model would quickly become popular with family buyers.
The Rover 200 Series was facelifted to become the Rover 25. The Rover 400 Series was also facelifted to become the Rover 45.[1] Both models would launch in the autumn. The 75 launched in June replacing both the 600 and 800 Series models.
Japan
The new Toyota Yaris supermini won the European Car of the Year award for 2000 and European sales commenced in April 1999, replacing the long-running Starlet.[2] The Toyota Celica was also redesigned in late 1999 alongside the MR2.
Nissan launches a facelifted Primera in the Summer.
Italy
The Fiat Punto supermini was redesigned offering a 1.9 diesel and the 1.8 HGT hatchback versions as well as a new Fiat logo. The cabriolet version of the previous generation was not carried over to the new model. The Bravo/Brava models received a minor facelift.