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Nissan is to assemble Infiniti luxury models in the central Hebei province of China from 2014, according to an agreement signed this week.

Toyota is looking like it's got this hybrid lark sorted. Just as it was rolling out the Yaris hybrid to European journalists came news the Prius line alone - never mind Aurion and assorted Lexus models - was the world's third top selling nameplate in the first quarter with sales of 247,230, behind the Corolla (300,800) and Focus (277,000). More than makes up for the failure of the 'ybrid-only Lexus HS250, eh?

Continuing just-auto's series of interviews with leading manufacturers of occupant restraints systems, Matthew Beecham talked with Dr Swen Schaub, senior manager, Engineering Strategies & Communications for TRW's OSS (Occupant Safety Systems) business.

The Skoda Yeti is being updated to keep it on top in the small 4x4 class

Just as they were launching the new B-segment Yaris hybrid in Europe came news Toyota executives were delighted to highlight; the Prius line, launched initially only in Japan 15 years ago, was the world's third best-selling car line in the first quarter as US demand and incentives in Japan turned it into a mainstream hit.

For 2013, Ford not only freshened the

Fiat has no plans to buy a stake in Mazda but will move forward soon to increase its stake in Chrysler to over 60%.

Indonesia's largest vehicle manufacturer, PT Astra Daihatsu Motor, is recalling more than 50,000 Gran Max light commercial vehicles and the Sirion small passenger car due to factory defects.

The Eurozone and Greek crises and the newly implemented FTA between the US and Colombia slowed the market last month to 24,941 units, up just 2.4% year on year.

New vehicle importers that do not also have manufacturing operations in Brazil are starting to experience increasing difficulties remaining in the market and supporting dealers following the excise (IPI) tax rise.

Record profit and sales for Jaguar Land Rover, thanks to Chinese expansion and success of Range Rover Evoque

BMW announces details and specification of the new 6 Series Gran Coupe, with prices starting from £61,390

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From GMM

Jaime Alguersuari was also caught up in the latest Italian earthquake that killed 15 people and forced Ferrari to send its employees home on Tuesday.

The former Toro Rosso driver told Spanish sports newspaper AS that he was near the epicentre of the magnitude-5.8 quake as he prepared to test a kart this week.

Asked if he is okay, Spaniard Alguersuari said: "Yes, everything's fine, but this morning at the hotel I had a hard time, I was really scared."

"I was in the shower and I just ran out. At first I wasn't worried because I'd experienced something similar in Japan, but soon I realised that everything was shaking and getting strong and that this was much worse. There was a point at which I kept thinking 'it's all over' -- I thought the building was coming down. So I put on a towel and ran down to reception and into the street. It all lasted about two minutes and I realised that, yes, in a moment everything can change. It was an experience."

The California state has asked major car makers to sell more Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV), such as all-electric cars, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen-powered autos. Companies that do not meet the emission standards set by the government will be allowed to buy ZEV credits from brands which exceeded the targets, otherwise, they will face heavy fines.

Photomontage: Auto123.com

Nissan stated the ZEV credits it accumulated over the years thanks to its popular LEAF, the best-selling electric car in the United States, could be for sale. "We're happy to have surplus credits, selling those is definitely something we could do," Andy Palmer, a group's vice-president said. "We're exploring the idea at the moment, we haven't made our mind yet."

The objective set for 2014 is to have 60,000 ZEV across the 12 participant states, and to push the numbers up to 1.4 million by 2025. On its end, the Californian government wants to have a fleet of clean vehicles before 2025 - which would represent 15 % of all its vehicles.


_{Source: Automotive News}

The Red Bull Formula 1 team has announced that communication giant AT&T has become an official technical supplier.

AT&T was a partner of the Williams team until late last season.

AT&T, already partnered in F1 with Williams. (Photo: Williams F1)

AT&T will provide the team with advanced network services focused on a high bandwidth link between the team working at the track and Red Bull Racing's factory back in Milton Keynes the UK.

Red Bull Racing was already a customer of AT&T for over a year.

The Canadian Formula Tour 1600 series kicked-off last weekend its 2012 racing season.

Twenty drivers took the start of the first of three Mont-Tremblant double header programs, where the sun was shining. It was also the first race weekend of the new Toyo R888 tire era.

Xavier Coupal, Nathan Blok and Didier Schraenen. (Photo: formulatour1600)

This season, expect young guns Nathan Blok and Xavier Coupal - who split a win each last weekend -, Jean-Philippe Jodoin and Marc-Antoine Cardin to challenge for glory.

Block is the defending champion, and Coupal the aspiring rival who had the chance to defend his country's colour at last year's British Formula Ford Festival.

Jodoin is one of few drivers to race the new Honda Fit engine. In the fight with 15-year-old rookie Cardin, Jodoin has the advantage of a few more race under his belt.

That being said, old timers Didier Schraenen and Michel Bonnet, are expected to shine just as much. They both scored a podium in Tremblant. Chances are, for his 25th race season, Schraenen will want more than just third places.

But right now, he and everybody else are looking forward to the Formula 1 weekend, held at the circuit Gilles-Villeneuve June 8-10. Drivers will then have a chance to race again in the streets of Trois-Rivières, revisit Mont-Tremblant twice and see for the first time what the Calabogie Motorsports Park is like to race.