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Asian brands top annual Consumer Reports rankings on reliability

Honda, Acura, Porsche and Scion topped the annual Consumer Reports reliability survey released on Tuesday. At the other end of the spectrum, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz were deemed among the worst. Findings are based on responses about 1.3 million vehicles owned or leased by subscribers to Consumer Reports or its Web site.

Tesla Model S UK Prices – starts at £54,900

Tesla Model S UK Prices – starts at £54,900 We’d always expected the appealing Tesla Model S EV to cost at least £60k for the entry-level model, so it’s a pleasant surprise that you’ll be able to grab the 60kWh model with its (up to) 240 mile range for £49,900 after the UK taxpayer has chipped in a £5,000 bribe to get you to drive an EV. Even the range-topping Model S Performance with its 310 mile range, 416bhp and a very rapid 0-62mph of 4.2 seconds will only cost £68,700 (after £5k rebate). That’s almost a bargain, especially if you get your model S courtesy of your business.

Volkswagen hits back, weighs making a bid for Porsche

Volkswagen is considering an audacious reverse-takeover bid for its majority shareholder, Porsche, in a twist in the drawn-out struggle for control between the two German carmakers. The Volkswagen Group's supervisory board is said to be weighing the possibility of purchasing Porsche AG, in a move that would relieve its holding company, Porsche SE, of massive debt that industry analysts suggest the company may not be able to fund should the world's financial crisis drag on well into 2010--a scenario put forward this week by the International Monetary Fund. The secret plan emerged as shareholders were set to convene at Volkswagen's annual meeting on Thursday, and it comes after Porsche revealed that it is carrying some 9 billion euros ($11.73 billion) in debt, most of it owing to interest on loans taken out to purchase its 50.8 percent stake in VW.