EU new car CO2 targets pushed back

The European Union’s plans to cap new cars to 95g/km CO2 by 2020 has been delayed, after months of lobbying led by Germany. Instead, the 95g/km target will be introduced a year later in 2021, but with an additional amount of flexibility intended to make the transition easier – especially for luxury carmakers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, which generally build bigger, heavier vehicles. Stricter CO2 rules will save drivers cash Top 10 most economical cars The new compromise, agreed on Tuesday (26 November 2013) and set to be presented to EU diplomats on Friday (29 November 2013), changes the rules on ‘supercredits’ – which allow manufacturers claim extra credit for especially low emissions cars, such as all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Fisker Karma hybrids burn during superstorm Sandy

Fisker Automotive Inc. is looking into a report that 16 of its Karma plug-in hybrids caught fire at a New Jersey port after being submerged in seawater during Hurricane Sandy. "There were no injuries, and none of the cars were being charged at the time," the company said in a statement.

Volkswagen says Italdesign purchase will boost its growth strategy

Volkswagen AG will acquire a 90 percent stake in Italdesign Giugiaro S.p.A., VW said Tuesday. The Giugiaro family will retain 10 percent in the 42-year-old automotive styling company that is famous for designing cars such as the first-generation Volkswagen Golf. VW CEO Martin Winterkorn said Italdesign will make an important contribution to the automaker's 2018 global growth strategy.