Auto News 5

Panoramic sunroofs stretching the length and breadth of a vehicle are becoming increasingly popular on both sides of the Atlantic. These designs give the best of both worlds: saving on cost (compared to a convertible) and adding to the versatility of the car. In this interview, Matthew Beecham talked with Jos Sanders, director of advanced technology at Inalfa Roof Systems Group about how the roof sector is evolving. Full story...

As if the Renault "industrial espionage" story wasn't extraordinary enough - and the flames have been fanned further by France's Industry Minister chucking in "economic war" to the mix, it seems the country's secret services may now be getting involved. Full story...

Internet leak means early look at pictures of Geneva Motor Show-bound Mercedes C-Class Coupe.

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The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand ended 2010 with a new sales record: 4.5m vehicles - up 13.9% year on year - were delivered to customers worldwide for the first time in a 12-month period. Full story...

American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM) has assumed full ownership of the AAM Sona Axle joint venture (AAM Sona Axle) in Pantnagar, India. AAM Sona Axle, previously a joint venture between AAM and Sona Koyo to manufacture and sell light truck, passenger car and SUV axle assemblies for India, is now an independent company wholly owned by AAM. Full story...

Southern India appears to be the favoured destination for two new carmaking projects currently under discussion. Full story...

French intelligence services are investigating a possible Chinese connection into suspected industrial espionage involving Renault's flagship electric cars program. Full story...

President Nicolas Sarkozy's office has asked France's DCRI intelligence service to probe suspected industrial espionage at carmaker Renault and is investigating a possible link with China, a government source told Reuters today. Full story...

President Nicolas Sarkozy's office has asked France's DCRI intelligence service to probe suspected industrial espionage at carmaker Renault and is investigating a possible link with China, a government source told Reuters on Friday. Full story...

The number of new vehicles registered in South Korea last year rose 2.8% to 1.53m units from 1.49m in 2009. Of last year's total, imported vehicles rose almost 50% over 2009 to to about 100,000 units. Full story...

PSA Peugeot Citroen sold a record 3.6m vehicles globally last year, despite the continued battle with the effects of the economic crisis. Full story...

Helped by a strong economy, Brazil's vehicle market posted a new record of over 3.5m units sold in 2010 according to data released by local auto trade association Anfavea. Full story...

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne is staking a fair amount on the Mirafiori situation insisting the unions must buy into new working arrangements. Full story...

French government ministers are warning of the consequences of "industrial espionage" as the fallout from the suspension of three senior Renault executives continues to gather pace. Full story...

Trio of teaser pics build anticipation ahead of Detroit debut.

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Ford sold a record 582,467 vehicles in China in 2010, up 40% from a year earlier. It sold 56,880 units in December alone, a 52% increase compared to the same month the previous year. Full story...

Ford has developed a new MyFord Mobile app for North America, allowing drivers of the Focus Electric "to remain engaged and in control even when away from the vehicle". Full story...

UK new car sales in 2010 rose 35,847 units to 2,030,846 units, ending the year 1.8% up on 2009 figures. Full story...

U.S. sales of new cars and light trucks will rise 11.3 percent this year as the economy recovers, lending eases, and interest rates stay low, a National Automobile Dealer Association forecast said. Sales will likely rise to about 12. Full story...

Audi sold 1.09 million cars and SUVs globally last year, an increase of 15 percent from 2009, the company said Friday in a statement. The Automaker saw record deliveries for 2010, powered by the highest-ever sales in China and the U.S. Full story...