Auto News 5

Mitsubishi Motors plans to almost triple the annual production of Outlander off-road vehicles to over 40,000 units in Russia by 2012, Itar-Tass reported, citing the Japanese business newspaper Nikkei. Full story...

Hyundai will introduce dual-clutch and continuously variable transmissions to models for the United States as early as next year as it seeks to become a leader in fuel efficiency, a top executive says. Full story...

Chrysler Group's Mopar parts and service division is ratcheting up efforts to get more dealers to open service departments on Saturday. Full story...

Chrysler Group's Mopar parts and service division is ratcheting up efforts to get more dealers to open service departments on Saturday. Full story...

Nissan aims to double or even triple sales of its next-generation Sentra by offering a car with styling more in line with the mid-sized Altima. Full story...

Nissan aims to double or even triple sales of its next-generation Sentra by offering a car with styling more in line with the mid-sized Altima. Full story...

Though it has not confirmed persistent reports it will open a plant in Mexico with trading house Sumitomo, Mazda Motor's president Takashi Yamanouchi has hinted the automaker might open plants in emerging markets, saying the company has already sent research teams to Brazil, India and Russia. Full story...

Car partsmakers in Japan are anticipating a considerable downturn in their earnings in the second half of fiscal 2010 due to the yen's appreciation and the expiration of a government subsidy programme for the purchase of eco-friendly vehicles, an industry body has said. Full story...

Ford began volume production of the redesigned Focus for Europe at its Saarlouis assembly plant in south west Germany on Monday. Production of four-door sedan and five-door hatchback versions for North America has already begun in Michigan; the German plant will also make a five-door wagon version. Full story...

Porsche is planning to make a triumphant return to the biggest US motor show with the debut of a secretive new model.

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Mazda's CEO Takashi Yamanouchi said the automaker is considering introducing plug-in hybrid and electric cars after it releases a gasoline-electric hybrid model. Full story...

Mazda's CEO Takashi Yamanouchi said the automaker is considering introducing plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles after it releases a gasoline-electric hybrid model. Full story...

Honda South Africa is bringing back a long-established nameplate - Ballade. Full story...

Data released by the SMMT shows that UK car sales in November fell by 11.5% year-on-year, a fifth successive month of decline. Full story...

First official pictures reveal revised 300C's sleeker look

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Unions at Nissan Spain's factory in Barcelona are demanding the company negotiate new wage cuts and productivity improvements at the site to help it win the European assembly of the Japanese automaker's next pickup truck. Full story...

Honda's US unit has killed off the boxy Element saying 2011 will be its last model year. First introduced in concept form as the Model X at the 2001 Detroit show, the Element was launched in 2002 as a 2003 model and became a favourite of small businesses, outdoor enthusiasts and pet owners. It never quite hit the spot with youthful surfers, as Honda has intended, and was more likely to be seen in the hands of a 40- or 50-something heading home from the big box store. Full story...

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November car registrations fell 11.5 percent in the UK from the year before, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said. Full story...

Renault launched an advertisement for its quirky Twizy two-seat electric car that it says will reach millions of Apple iPhone and iPod touch users. The automaker said the Twizy ad is Europe's first "iAd" using Apple's new mobile advertising network. Full story...