Volkswagen at the Paris motor show 2008

By Ben Whitworth Motor Shows 02 October 2008 10:16 Volkswagen is calling it a concept, but its new Golf GTI study is pretty much the real thing. Bar a few minor tweaks, what you see here is what will start rolling out of Wolfsburg in spring 2009. And to keep the eco brigade happy, VW also showed its new Passat BlueMotion II that comes with some astonishing economy figures.

GM's Volt engineer Weber moving to Opel

Frank Weber, the German-born engineer in charge of the Chevrolet Volt, is moving back to Germany to take a senior management role at Opel. He will be replaced by Doug Parks, who has been working at Opel since 2007 as chief engineer for GM's global compact cars, which include the Opel Astra and Chevrolet Cruze. General Motors Co.

Ford overhauls Michigan plant to build new Focus

Ford will spend $550 million to retool an assembly plant in suburban Detroit to build the redesigned 2011 Ford Focus. Production is to start next year. As part of the overhaul, the plant, known as Michigan Assembly, also will build an electric-powered version of the new Focus.