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Crunch watch Feb 09: the auto industry in crisis

By Tim Pollard, Ben Pulman and Ben Whitworth Motor Industry 02 March 2009 18:11 Monday 2 March• The Volkswagen Group announces a 5% rise in sales revenues in the 2008 tax year and a 3% increase in operating profits, up to €6.3 billion. Chairman Martin Winterkorn said the group's multi-brand strategy and low CO2 cars had helped sustain sales, although he admitted that 2009 would see a fall in demand and revenues (Volkswagen) Friday 27 February• Jaguar Land Rover announces a significant order for 13,000 cars from a Chinese business. It's a morale boost for JLR which has been hit by a slump in demand with the global slowdown (BBC News)• Opel this afternoon agreed to a restructuring plan designed to save as many jobs and factories as possible – but it needs a €3.3 billion lifeline from the state.

Volkswagen to reveal new electric car concept

Volkswagen is due to reveal a one-seat electric car concept in early September as the manufacturer explores its greener future. Part of the on-going project to cut its average fleet emissions  Volkswagen has designed the concept vehicle for limited journeys, with the vehicle due to be unveiled on September 8 in Berlin. There's no word yet as to whether it will appear at the Frankfurt motor show just a few days later, but we'd be surprised not to see it there.

Toyota's production iQ

By Guy Bird Motor Shows 06 March 2008 15:41 What’s new on Toyota’s Geneva Motor Show stand? The brand’s biggest news by far was the production iQ city car. The road-going iQ keeps almost all of the 2007 Frankfurt concept’s great packaging – half a metre shorter than a Fiat 500 at 2985mm – but still housing four seats, three for adults and one behind the driver for a child or luggage (there’s no conventional boot space).