Auto News 5

Volkswagen has said it may start assembling commercial vehicles at its Russian plant in the city of Kaluga. Full story...

Former Ford Motor and Mazda Europe executive James Muir will replace Erich Schmitt as head of Volkswagen's Spanish brand Seat, VW said today. Full story...

Volkswagen's premium brand Audi plans to cut its manufacturing costs and slash investments this year to buffer a forecast 10 percent decline in volumes, its chief financial officer said on Tuesday. Full story...

Volkswagen of America, Inc. helped Mattel celebrate Barbie® doll's 50th Birthday by transforming a New Beetle convertible into the ultimate Barbie® dream car. The life-size pink Malibu Barbie(tm) New Beetle convertible made its debut at Barbie® doll's Malibu Dream House® exclusive birthday celebration. Customization artists ABD Racing Werks, Katzkin Leather and Interiors and FoamMolders fully transformed the iconic New Beetle convertible into the perfect Barbie® ride. Full story...

VW hints a new breed of BlueSport badged mean green machines is on the way, headed up by an ultra efficient evolution of the Golf GTI.

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The 79th Geneva Motor Show has opened its doors to the media preview days. Concept car highlights include the Nissan Qazana, Infiniti Essence, Ford Iosis Max, Dacia Duster, Frazer-Nash Namir by Giugiaro,  BMW 5 Series GT, Rolls-Royce 200EX and Aston Martin Lagonda. Production debuts include the new Volkswagen Polo, Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe, Peugeot 3008 and Toyota Verso.

We will have ongoing reports of the most significant debuts in our show Highlights, with in-depth Design Reviews and an extensive Photo Gallery of our own images coming soon. Until then, be sure to check out our Photo Galleries section for all the press images of the new cars on show...

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Volkswagen's Mexico plant, where the popular new Beetle cars are made, will halt operations for three weeks as the U.S. recession cuts into demand, the leader of the autoworkers union said on Thursday. Full story...

You have to get up early to beat journalists on motor show duty – as this picture proves! Volkswagen is giving the new Polo supermini its debut at Geneva, so the advertising hoardings outside the show site could only be erected on the morning of the show.

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Volkswagen unveils efficient Polo Bluemotion concept car, due on sale next February. Full story...

Volkswagen plans to scale back production at its Slovak assembly plant for eight days in April. Full story...

Volkswagen is shifting up to 30 percent of its U.S. marketing budget from the national to the regional level to boost sales and support dealers, says Volkswagen Group of America CEO Stefan Jacoby. Full story...

2009 Cadillac Converj, 2009 Volkswagen Concept BlueSport, 2010 Fisker Karma - Sexier Sippers

We want 'em now, but we don't have 'em yet. These are earth-friendly machines that you'd buy on looks alone.

Despite the sudden drop in gas prices, the long-term trend toward green cars appears solidly in place. But if green machines are the new reality, when are they going to look like something other than dull or dorky little nerd-mobiles? The just-introduced redesigned Toyota Prius and the new Honda Insight, for instance, are the twin geeks of hybrid propulsion. And the boxy new Lexus HS250h hybrid has all the visual dynamism of a shrunken Toyota Camry. None of the mid-size hybrid sedans are anything exciting to look at, and neither is Volkswagen's Jetta TDI. Where is the style? Where is the swagger? Where is the sex appeal?

Photo Gallery: 2009 Cadillac Converj, 2009 Volkswagen Concept BlueSport - Fuel Efficient Concept Cars, Hybrids and Reviews - Automobile Magazine

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Ford Motor Co.'s U.S. light-vehicle sales dropped 48.5 percent last month as the industry braced for what analysts expect to be the lowest February sales total in at least 34 percent. Volkswagen said its VW-brand sales fell 17.5 percent. Full story...

Volkswagen's new Polo will be priced about the same as the current model despite being bigger and having more features such as standard electronic stability control. Full story...

Volkswagen has reported 2008 net profit up 14% to EUR4.75bn. "We met our target and surpassed our record results for 2007 even though conditions were tougher," CEO Martin Winterkorn said in a statement yesterday. Full story...

Brilliance Jinbei Automotive plans to offer a competitor to the Volkswagen Golf that costs up to 5,250 euros less than Europeand#8217;s best seller. Brillianceand#8217;s importer, HSO Motors Europe, showed a near-production version of the BS2 here. Full story...

Brilliance Jinbei Automotive plans to offer a competitor to the Volkswagen Golf that costs up to 5,250 euros less than Europe's best seller. Brilliance's importer, HSO Motors Europe, showed a near-production version of the BS2 here. Full story...

Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn said electric vehicles will not dominate the world's car showrooms anytime soon. "Electric mobility does have a place in the long-term future," Winterkorn said. Full story...

Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn said electric vehicles will not dominate the world's car showrooms anytime soon. "Electric mobility does have a place in the long-term future," Winterkorn said. Full story...

Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn said electric vehicles will not dominate the world's car showrooms anytime soon. "Electric mobility does have a place in the long-term future," Winterkorn said. Full story...