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Japan's automakers, aiming to take the lead in fuel-efficient powertrains, have joined forces in a new consortium to develop the next generation of fuel-sipping combustion engines.

Tesla Motors' automotive sales for first quarter ended 31 March rose 11.46% to US$618.81m from $555.20m. Its total revenues for the period were up 10.46% to $620.54m from $561.79m in same period in 2013. The company's loss from operations widened from $5.58m in the first quarter 2013 to $43.97m in the first quarter 2014.

With General Motors facing continuing investigations into its handling of a vehicle safety defect linked to 13 deaths, its legal department has become a focus of a broad internal inquiry into how the company handled the issue, according to The New York Times.

The closure of Opel's Bochum factory in Germany could cost parent company General Motors at least EUR550m (US$754.41m), sources have told the Reuters news agency.

Nissan North America will replace any of 211 2014 Leaf vehicles made (at Smyrna) between 28 February and 12 March, 2014.

Toyota Boshoku has begun making vehicle seat covers in Laos.

Japan's main automakers have joined forces to develop low emission engine technology to meet long term future emissions regulations worldwide and to increase their competitive edge against European and other global vehicle manufacturers.

In the new Macan, Porsche has created the segment's best SUV-sports car. Where better then to hold the UK media launch than at a motor racing circuit?

The Chinese billionaire who bought Fisker Automotive Holdings Inc. at a bankruptcy auction is planning to build a new slate of electric-drive cars in the United States, challenging Tesla Motors Inc. on its home turf.

News 19 May, 2014

BMW adds more model variants and updates engines for the 2 Series, 4 Series and 5 Series ranges

New vehicle sales in Malaysia rose by 11.9% to 58,732 in April, from weak year-earlier sales of 52,489 units, according to data released by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

Windshield washer fluid may be a breeding ground for bacteria that causes the deadly pneumonia known as Legionnaires' disease.

New vehicle sales in Indonesia increased by 4.5% to 106,811 units in April, from 102,257 units a year earlier, according to data released by Indonesia's automotive industry association Gaikindo.

Gian Maria Olivetti joned Federal-Mogul in 2007 as VP, pistons, rings and liners. He was previously at Fiat Group, where he was executive director, worldwide engines and transmissions, responsible for Iveco. He talked to Simon Warburton at Federal-Mogul's recent Media Technology Day at the company's Wiesbaden plant near Frankfurt about key elements of the business including legislation, the future of ICE engines, CO2 emissions and materials.

News 19 May, 2014

New BMW 2 Series Active Tourer will arrive in showrooms this September, priced from £22,150

News 19 May, 2014

Three new ads from Oscar-nominated director Gus Van Sant aim to promote the hybrid BMW i8

With parts production running seven days a week on multiple shifts, General Motors plans to produce enough repair parts by October to have the ability to repair the majority of the vehicles impacted by the ignition switch and ignition cylinder recalls.

Volvo Group is getting closer to testing an electric road that would enable city buses to be charged wirelessly in operation using inductive charging.

The smallest Mercedes will remain the A-class compact, although the Smart brand could expand into subcompacts, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said.