VOLKSWAGEN

Strengthening dealer networks, successfully launching a redesigned Jetta, and boosting used-car sales are top priorities for Volkswagen America Inc under Jonathan Browning, the unit's new chief executive.

The luxury market which has so far been dominated by the West is facing stiff competition from China. Top global luxury brands like Burberry and Coach are trying to affirm supremacy in market by pouring funds in multi-billion dollars and function on their own instead of running on a franchise basis.

German carmaker Volkswagen is planning a new assembly line at Russia's GAZ in order to boost production in the booming market.

U.S. safety regulators have opened a preliminary investigation into claims Hyundai Motor Co's best-selling car in America, the Sonata sedan, may have steering problems.

Swedish truckmaker Scania will develop new truck cabs with Porsche Engineering, in another step toward firming up ties under the Volkswagen umbrella.

Volkswagen AG's management is eyeing the potential acquisition of the Alfa Romeo brand should Fiat SpA consider putting it up for sale.

China's BYD Co Ltd, backed by U.S. billionaire Warren Buffett, warned on Monday of a slowdown in car sales during the second half of the year and said it will launch new models to lessen the impact.

German automaker Volkswagen AG struck a deal with workers at its Mexican plant to avoid a strike threatened by the factory's union

Porsche AG will meet strict U.S. fuel economy standards of 35.5 miles per gallon when they go in force by 2016, Detlev Von Platen, the German automaker's North American president

India's top car maker Maruti Suzuki may manufacture cars for German auto firm Volkswagen's global market on a contract basis, three newspapers said on Thursday, citing Maruti's managing director.

The German state of Lower Saxony denied on Monday a media report that it was considering relinquishing its blocking minority by selling some of its illiquid voting stock in Volkswagen.

Honda Motor Co and Renault joined their rivals in reporting strong results for the quarter to the end of June, as the auto industry faces growing concerns over slowing demand in the United States, China and Europe.

Volkswagen plans to launch all-electric vehicles in 2013 and expects these zero-emission vehicles to account for 3 percent of its sales by 2018, Chief Executive Officer Martin Winterkorn said on Monday.

U.S.-based automakers led by Ford Motor Co have surpassed foreign brands in vehicle appeal for the first time in 13 years.

Volkswagen Group sold more than 3.5 million cars to customers world wide in the first half of 2010, the company's chief executive said on Tuesday.

Top Chinese automaker SAIC Motor Corp sold 30 percent more vehicles in June compared with a year earlier, the second slowest monthly gain so far this year as demand in the world's largest auto market moderates after rapid expansion in 2009.

Volkswagen AG named Matthias Mueller, its top car strategist, as the new chief executive of Porsche AG in a bid to tighten its grip on the iconic sports car brand.

Global carmakers are braced for a slide in second half sales as scrappage schemes are phased out and cautious consumers pull back from big-ticket buys in the face of economic uncertainty.

Volkswagen plans to shake up its management at Porsche SE, as it looks to strengthen its hold on the automaker.

Premium-car maker Volvo, which Ford is selling to China's Zhejiang Geely, has hired the head of Volkswagen's North America business as its chief executive.

SAIC Motor Corp , China's biggest automaker, said it was planning a private placement of new shares and trading in its stock will be suspended from Monday.