Auto News 5

Chongqing Changan Automobile plans to spend CNY4.3bn (US$648m) on a production base in Beijing. Full story...

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a fuel economy label for the all electric Nissan Leaf, rating the vehicle to be "best" in the midsize vehicle class for fuel efficiency and "best" for the environment. Full story...

Johnson Controls has won European Union regulatory approval to acquire Michel Thierry, a French vehicle interior fabric supplier. Full story...

BMW says its UK sales target for its redesigned X3 SUV will be around 5,000 vehicles as it looks to build on the success of the previous version. Full story...

Porsche is investing about 150 million euros ($203 million) in a high-tech wind tunnel, a design center, electronics integration center and other upgrades to its research and development facility in Weissach, Germany, the company said. Full story...

Hyundai Motor shares tumbled to a three-week low on Tuesday over investor worries that a prolonged labour dispute may cause major output disruption at South Korea's largest automaker. Full story...

Renault's chief operating officer Patrick Pelata talks exclusively to just-auto about the company's alliance with Daimler, the market in Europe and the rest of the world as well as the company's future in Formula One. Full story...

Ssangyong Motor Company (SYMC) and India's Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), its preferred bidder, on Tuesday announced the signing of a definitive agreement in Seoul. Full story...

BMW and Mercedes-Benz, the world's two largest makers of luxury autos, will shorten Christmas breaks at their factories because of surging demand for new models. Full story...

There are no official images of it yet but the new Volkswagen Beetle has already been sanctified by one of the most influential marketers on the planet - Oprah Winfrey. Full story...

Mahindra, India's largest SUV maker, will pay 427.1 billion won ($378 million) for a controlling stake in South Korea's Ssangyong, the companies said Tuesday. Full story...

U.S. regulators have rated the electric Leaf from Nissan Motor Co. at an equivalent of 99 miles per gallon (about 2.7 liters per 100km) in combined city and highway driving, the Japanese automaker said. Full story...

BMW and Mercedes will shorten Christmas breaks at their factories because of surging demand for new models. BMW's German plants in Dingolfing and Leipzig will stay open over the holidays after halting output for about three weeks in 2009. Full story...

Audi has big plans for its electric vehicle business. Full story...

Mazda Canada today announced that the 2012 Mazda5 compact multi-activity vehicle will have a starting manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of $21,795. The 2012 Mazda5 will go on sale in Canada early in January 2011. Full story...

There's a newcomer to the RS family. Audi announced the introduction of its all-new RS 3 Sportback in a press release today. Full story...

According to an article published in the Edmonton Journal, the Edmonton race could return on the 2011 IndyCar series' schedule. Full story...

According to Jalopnik, and to quote them, the Audi Quattro is a Go for production. We were in Paris last September where Audi unveiled the modern rendition of the historical high-performance classic that, for many, put Audi on the map. Full story...

The next instalment in my Audi Electrification adventure landed me in a Q5 Hybrid. We all know that compact crossovers are the "in" segment at the moment. Mix in luxury, and your vehicle is a sure-fire winner. Throw in "hybrid" and you're now dabbling in a backyard that has seen only one player for the last few years, the Lexus RX. Well-established and highly-regarded, the RX is no pushover and nor does Audi intend on aiming straight at it. Full story...

The ongoing drama of the survival of Richard Petty Motorsports has an optimistic note thanks to a short statement released in the seven-time NASCAR champion's name. Full story...