Auto News 5

The redesigned 2012 Volkswagen New Beetle will undergo an evolutionary styling change when production begins next year. Spy photographs of the car reveal that all of the sheet metal has been replaced, but the overall design remains retro. Full story...

Penske Automotive Group has launched a Web site allowing prospects to view vehicle inventory for all 174 of its franchises in one place and schedule service appointments online. Full story...

Cerberus sold shares of Tower International Inc. in an $81.3 million initial public offering for 11 percent less than it paid to take control of the auto-parts supplier three years ago. The shares advanced in early trading today. Full story...

A problem with the way the front seatbelt webbing is attached to the anchor pretensioner has prompted General Motors to recall nearly 322,500 Chevrolet Impalas from the 2009 and 2010 model years. Full story...

I never thought, after getting on for 30 years covering the autobiz, I'd see a 'teaser' PR campaign for a new line of one-tonne pickup trucks. Once upon a time, the automakers kept as quiet as possible about their new models, at least on the record, and, come announcement time, snail-mailed out a press pack with neatly printed prose on A4 paper and a selection of photos. Then there was a drive day for the local media and that was that, job done. Full story...

Calling on regular partners Funkmaster Flex and Galpin Auto Sports, a trio of customized Ford Explorers will be a centerpiece of the Ford stand at this year's SEMA show in Las Vegas--even before the redesigned SUV goes on sale. Full story...

Jaguar Land Rover said Friday it no longer plans to close one of its three auto plants in England after reaching an agreement with trade unions. Full story...

Tesla Motors has entered into a Phase 1 Contract Services Agreement with Toyota Motor Corporation ("TMC") for the development of a validated powertrain system, including battery, power electronics module, motor, gearbox and associated software, which will be integrated into an electric vehicle version of the RAV4. Full story...

General Motors Co. is recalling 303,100 Impala cars in the U.S. because seat belts in the front seat may not be properly anchored and may not restrain passengers in a crash. Full story...

China's dizzying growth rate continues to make jaws drop in the west at an ever-increasing rate, but there has been a small sign this week the country will be no pushover when it comes to its own backyard. Full story...

Tata Motors Group has reported sales of 86,996 units in September 2010, 19% ahead of the same month last year. September's sales take cumulative sales for the fiscal (April-September 2010) to 511,934 units, some 38% ahead of last year's pace. Full story...

SENIOR WEST COAST EDITOR MARK VAUGHN: The perfect sports car: When I first drove a Lotus Elise sometime around 1998, I thought it was the be-all, end-all perfect sports car. Of all time. Full story...

Volkswagen group has reported a record 5m deliveries for the first nine months of this year, up 12.7% year on year. The automaker shipped 663,100 vehicles in September alone, up 7.9%. Full story...

Honda and Nissan both recorded September sales increases in China and said they were on course to meet their year-end targets. Full story...

Rita Forst, chief engineer at General Motors Co.'s unprofitable Opel brand, must bridge a cultural gap between the United States and Germany to overhaul the European model line-up. The challenge plays to her strengths. Full story...

Volvo will introduce an electric version of its C30 into small fleets next year and a plug-in hybrid V60 will be available from 2012 with emissions of just 50g/km of CO2. Full story...

Volvo Cars CEO Stefan Jacoby explains how the manufacturer intends to expand within other world markets, whilst returning to its core Swedish design values during a new chapter under Chinese ownership. Full story...

Jaguar Land Rover no longer plans to close one of its three auto plants in England after reaching an agreement with trade unions. Full story...

Jaguar Land Rover said today it no longer plans to close one of its three auto plants in England after reaching an agreement with trade unions. Full story...

Following on from the revamped Jetta previewed in New York last summer, Volkswagen has updated another global model, the Passat - 15m of which have been built to date since the line launched in 1973 - adding new technology options. Full story...