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Japan's carmakers said that their combined domestic production in February fell 15.4% from the same month a year ago to 767,335 units because of slow domestic sales and exports.

Now Brazil is the world's fourth largest auto market, it is no longer made to wait sometimes years for new models launched first in other markets. Case in point: the Peugeot 208 due to hit the showrooms on 13 April, just 11 months after going on sale in Europe.

Light-vehicle sales -- led by strong pickup and crossover demand at Detroit's automakers -- rose 3 percent to 1.45 million units last month, slightly below forecasts but a positive signal the spring selling season is off to a solid start.

TECHNICAL EDITOR DALE JEWETT: I've long been a big fan of the

Keno Kato is corporate vice president of Global Product Strategy and Product Planning for Nissan and Infiniti. Glenn Brooks recently met him and took the opportunity to ask a variety of questions concerning future model plans.

Four German automakers have been raided by South Korea's Fair Trade Commission on suspicion of price fixing and collusion, the importers' association says.

Four German automakers have been raided by South Korea's Fair Trade Commission on suspicion of price fixing and collusion, the importers' association says.

Four German automakers have been raided by South Korea's Fair Trade Commission on suspicion of price fixing and collusion, the importers' association says.

Rumours of discussions between Fiat and VW Group over the possible sale of Alfa Romeo have surfaced yet again, this time involving Audi on the VW side.

News 2 Apr, 2013

The new three-door SEAT Leon SC is to start from £15,370 - that's £300 less than the five-door

Edmunds.com has raised its 2013 light vehicle sales forecast to 15.5m. The industry hasn't achieved that level of annual sales since 2007.

French car registrations fell 16.4 percent in March and 14.7 percent overall in the first quarter, according to figures from CCFA, the country's main auto industry body.

March new vehicle registrations in New Zealand rose 11.5% year on year to 9,505 units. Commercial vehicle sales were up 33.3% to 2,705, the best result for the month since 1985. Passenger car registrations rose 4.6% to 6,800.

Audi and Mercedes are both vying to be the world's No. 1 luxury brand as the race heats up to topple BMW from the top position.

The escalating rivalry among Germany's premium automakers was fully on show at the annual financial results conferences of Audi and BMW.

The latest issue of the Automotive News Europe monthly e-magazine is ready for you to view.

In the midst of a proxy fight with dissident investors, Lear announced an agreement with shareholders Marcato Capital Management and Oskie Capital Management to expand a stock buyback and keep the hedge funds' nominees off Lear's board.

Volkswagen plans to discontinue sales of the Routan, a rebadged Chrysler Group-built minivan VW has offered in North America since 2008, the company's top U.S. executive said.

A long-distance debate last week between two CEOs -- Ford's Alan Mulally and Renault-Nissan's Carlos Ghosn -- reignited a hot-button debate in the industry over the value of the Japanese yen.

Alain Menu joined Citroen Racing and Sebastien Loeb for a test session in Jarama, Spain behind the wheel of a modified Citroen DS3.

It was the second test for Citroen. However, the French make has not yet confirmed it will official contest the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) next season. 

Loeb had a first taste of the quickly modified DS3 rally car at Valencia, Spain a few weeks ago.

Citroen DS3. (Photo: Citroen Racing)

Alain Menu has massive experience in WTCC, havign been a Chevrolet driver for eight seasons, before the American constructor withdrew from the series late last year.

Menu will run the Porsche Supercup instead this season, with the opening round scheduled for May 12 in Barcelona.

Worldtouringcars.com talks with the Swiss driver who confirmed the test session, without saying a word about his future with the French team.

"Citroën needed an experienced WTCC driver," Menu said. "I was available, so we came to an agreement to do that test in Jarama and it went well".

It would be logical for Citroen to run an experienced driver such as Alain Menu alongside Sebastien Loeb, if the French car manufacturer decides to enter the WTCC in 2014.