Toyota, Microsoft team on telematics software

Toyota Motor Corp. and Microsoft Corp. are teaming up to develop a next-generation telematics software platform that the automaker expects will debut on Toyota electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles next year.

Land Rover marks 1 million Range Rovers with charity donation

Land Rover commemorated the production of Range Rover No. 1,000,000 by donating a car to Britain's Help for Heroes charity, which helps wounded war veterans and their families. The charity plans to sell the car at an auction later this year.

Volkswagen Microbus production could resume in Brazil

The Volkswagen Type 2 Kombi/Microbus may be a classic to our eyes, but it has been in continuous production in Brazil for almost 50 years. Impending legislation that would outlaw the production and importation of cars and trucks without modern safety features such as ABS brakes and airbags was set to put an end to the Kombi production in Brazil, but one lawmaker wants to make an exception for the veteran vehicle, Indian Autos Blog reports. Brazil's finance minister Guido Mantega is arguing that since the Kombi/Microbus has been in production for decades -- before ABS technology and airbags were developed -- it would be unfair to apply the new law to the vehicle.