Auto News 5

Speculation is mounting in India that the Mahindra brothers could make a bid for Ford's up-for-sale Volvo Car unit. Full story...

Car sales in India plunged by 19.4% in November, raising fears about the outlook for sales in 2009 and overcapacity among local producers. A softer market is already leading to widespread price cuts in an effort to maintain volume. Full story...

Mercedes-Benz previewed the look of the redesigned E-class sedan by presenting the Fascination concept at the Paris motor show in October. And we've seen several spy photos of the car, some with very little camouflage in place. Full story...

Mercedes-Benz previewed the look of the redesigned E-class sedan by presenting the Fascination concept at the Paris motor show in October. And we've seen several spy photos of the car, some with very little camouflage in place. Full story...

The 2008 Paris Mondial de L'Automobile has opened its doors with the media preview days. Highlights include the Lamborghini Estoque, Renault Ondelios concept, Citroën Hypnos concept, Pininfarina B0 concept, GTbyCitroën, Peugeot RC HyMotion 4, and Mercedes Concept Fascination. Production debuts include the Renault Megane and Chevrolet Volt. We will have ongoing reports of the most significant debuts in our show Highlights, with in-depth Design Reviews and an extensive Photo Gallery to follow. Full story...

The combination of a deepening US recession and the effects of the credit crisis are expected to produce a further decline in 2009 US automotive industry sales volumes from already-depressed 2008 levels, data out this week suggests. Full story...

The Azia-Invest Bank, a subsidiary of Uzbekistan's National Bank for Foreign Economic Activity, plans to open a US$25m credit line to assist Russian distributors of GM Uzbekistan - an Uzbeki-based JV that includes participation by GM. Full story...

Daimler has said that it has filed a request with Russian regulators to take a stake in Kamaz. Full story...

The idea that the Brazilian economy was strong enough to face the global financial and economic crisis has been proved wrong. The most visible effect was the recent, sudden domestic auto market weakness with noticeable falls of 25% both month on month and year on year in November to just 178,000 sales. Full story...

Plans by AvtoVAZ to increase sales in Western Europe appear to be achieving some success in Germany, though volumes remain small. Full story...

As the U.S. government nears a deal to save General Motors, a debate rages over whether CEO Rick Wagoner's job should be spared in the bailout. Full story...

As the U.S. government nears a deal to save General Motors, a debate rages over whether CEO Rick Wagoner's job should be spared in the bailout. Full story...

The Indonesian new vehicle market expanded by 11.5% year-on-year in November to 47,000 units, according to industry-wide wholesale estimates released by PT Toyota Astra Motor - the local distributor. If these volumes are confirmed, sales in the first eleven months of the year will have reached a record 569,293 units - more than 43% higher than in the same period of last year. Full story...

German transmission supplier Getrag is talking with unions about restructuring. Full story...

Audi's sensational V10-engined R8 has finally been unveiled, and Auto Express has the first official pictures. Full story...

The House of Representatives could vote as early as Wednesday on a $15 billion plan to bail out and restructure U.S. automakers but the initiative may face possible roadblocks in the Senate, officials said. Full story...

The House of Repre- sentatives could vote as early as Wednesday on a $15 billion plan to bail out and restructure U.S. automakers but the initiative may face possible roadblocks in the Senate, officials said. Full story...

A $15bn Detroit Three bailout deal finally agreed between the Bush White House and congressional Democrats last night is headed for a House of Representatives vote later today (10 December) and likely to be passed up to the Senate by a narrow margin. Full story...

Russia has increased import taxes on new cars to 30% from 25%. Full story...

Volkswagen's finance operations have asked for German government loan guarantees for its banks. Full story...