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News 23 May, 2016

Luxurious new R-Line Plus trim level adds sporty appeal to the Volkswagen Touareg range, starting from £48,095

Despite government announcements last week that Britain is pushing to be at the forefront of autonomous vehicle technology, half of motorists oppose driverless cars, according to a new survey.

Peugeot has radically changed the look of its new 3008, giving the car a more aggressive design to help the model stand out in the compact SUV/crossover segment.

Peugeot has completely changed the look of its new 3008, giving the car a more aggressive design to help the model stand out in the compact SUV/crossover segment.

Peugeot has revealed its redesigned 3008 SUV ahead of its Paris show debut in September. At just 4,450mm in length, it is one of the most compact models in its segment but offers greater passenger and luggage space over the outgoing model. With a longer wheelbase and an overall length just 80mm longer than the current model, interior space has greatly improved, most notably for rear occupants who now have an additional 24mm legroom, 4mm elbow room and 36mm headroom. Front elbow space has also increased by 17mm despite the width of the new model being identical to the outgoing version at 1840mm, and height being 19mm lower at 1620mm.

Three investor groups called for a new, independent investigation into Volkswagen's emissions test-rigging scandal, saying the inquiries launched by the German carmaker so far may not be far-reaching or transparent enough.

Features 23 May, 2016

All eight Hommage vehicles hark back to iconic models from the BMW and MINI ranges past

General Motors will give debit cards or extended warranties to 146,000 North American owners of new sport utility vehicles to compensate them because the automaker overstated the vehicles' fuel efficiency, a media report said.

Volkswagen and IG Metall have agreed a pay deal. Base pay for employees covered by the collective agreement is to be increased in two stages, by 2.8% effective 1 September, 2016 and 2% effective 1 August, 2017. Each employee will receive a pension building block of EUR200 (US$224.5). In addition, a further development of provisions on partial early retirement has been agreed, allowing greater differentiation of partial early retirement schemes. It was also agreed that the profit share would be calculated on the basis of a two-year period in the future. The collective agreement has a term of 20 months.

Toyota plans to move away from using low-cost platforms in India, and switch to the new Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) in upcoming models.

Kongsberg Automotive said contracts have been secured from a wide range of customers including European, Chinese and Japanese OEMs. The combined value is estimated at EUR15m (US$16.83m) (NOK140m) over a supply period of three to eight years depending on car model.

BMW created a design study to mark the 50th anniversary of the launch of the 2002 coupe, which the automaker says was one of the most significant models in its history.

Fuji Heavy Industries, which will officially change its name to Subaru Corporation on 1 April, 2017, as part of a plan to increase the recognition of the Subaru brand, will deepen the product development partnership forged with fellow Japanese automaker Toyota Motor, Fuji president Yasuyuki Yoshinaga said in a recent interview with The Nikkei.

Shares in Fiat Chrysler fell more than 5 percent after Germany's Bild newspaper reported that the carmaker could be prohibited from selling cars in Germany if evidence is found that the company disregarded emissions rules.

Shares in Fiat Chrysler fell more than 5 percent after Germany's Bild newspaper reported that the carmaker could be prohibited from selling cars in Germany if evidence is found that the company disregarded emissions rules.

News 23 May, 2016

New study found councils have increased parking fees for residents by 51 per cent since 2011, raising £44million last year alone

China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group has raised US$400m through a 'green' bond issue to fund the development of a hybrid successor to the black cab at its London Taxi Company (LTC) subsidiary.