Auto News 5

Vehicle sales growth and currency gains offset by new model launch expenses saw Subaru maker Fuji Heavy Industries boost operating income 173.9% to JPY120.4bn yen for the full year to 31 March, 2013.

Operating income at Suzuki Motor increased 21% to JPY144.6bn for the fiscal year to 31 March, 2013 thanks to higher sales in Japan and Asia, and cost reduction.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR BOB GRITZINGER: The Lexus flagship has been the benchmark for solid Japanese luxury and this

Volkswagen said today that it is recalling around 91,000 cars in Japan, citing potential transmission problems that have already led to the recall of 384,181 vehicles in China.

The all-electric Tesla Model S sports car received the highest score in Consumer Reports' ratings -- a 99 out of 100 -- along with widespread plaudits from the magazine's automotive testing staff.

News 9 May, 2013

Caterham Cars is celebrating 40 years with a new limited-edition styling pack

US-based electric car maker Tesla Motors has posted its first ever quarterly profit in the first quarter as it also said it exceeded its target for deliveries.

News 9 May, 2013

Maserati boss says that the diesel version of the Ghibli will have 'all the character of a classic Maserati'

News 9 May, 2013

Prices and specs have been announced for the facelifted Skoda Superb, and it starts from £18,555

Volkswagen Group luxury car unit Bentley is expanding in fast growing eastern Europe with its first dealership in Belarus.

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Nissan Motor's luxury brand Infiniti has appointed Steve Oliver as the new regional director for northern Europe covering the UK and Holland.

China's passenger-vehicle sales rose 13 percent in April on rising demand for new models in the world's biggest vehicle market.

Infiniti has named a global design chief as part of the luxury brand's ongoing effort to distance itself from parent company Nissan's mass-market Nissan marque.

BMW has said it is cooperating with Indian authorities after a newspaper reported the automaker is being investigated for possibly owing $120 million in taxes.

Kia Europe President Brandon Yea believes the brand will continue its growth in the region this year despite tough economic conditions.

Chrysler's former Europe chief, Thomas Hausch, will head Nissan's operations in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Hausch started the role with the Japanese automaker on May 1.

Mazda has appointed Masamichi Kogai its next CEO. The production and purchasing specialist replaces Takashi Yamanouchi, who led the carmaker to its first annual profit in five years.

Having reshaped a big piece of the world's economy around its Windows software, Microsoft now wants to do the same thing in the car business. What the Seattle giant sees there says as much about the future of cars as it does about itself.

From GMM

Marc Surer, a former Swiss F1 driver turned commentator, says he is not sure he believes Mercedes is not making a move for Sebastian Vettel.

Niki Lauda, Mercedes' chairman and shareholder, backpedalled this week after hinting he might have approached Red Bull's reigning triple world champion.

But Surer is quoted by Speed Week: "If you want to be a top team, you have to try to weaken your opponent. This way (signing Vettel), you would weaken your rival and strengthen yourself at the same time.

"It's completely normal if Niki Lauda is trying to get Vettel," added Surer.

Sebastian Vettel. (Photo: WRi2)

It is likely Lauda backpedalled on his public approach to Vettel due to the signal it sends to Mercedes' existing drivers, comprising Nico Rosberg alongside Lewis Hamilton.

"Of course it's unpleasant as a driver if you know your team is looking for alternatives, and if you look at the contractual situation, then that is Rosberg," said Surer.