Volkswagen takes stake in Suzuki

VW takes a 19.9% stake in Suzuki We’re back on the co-operation and rationalisation path again, this time with Volkswagen and Suzuki, with the announcement that VW is to take a 19.9% stake in Suzuki, with Suzuki in turn re-investing up to half of the proceeds in to Volkswagen shares. This deal has been on the cards for some time but has obviously been pushed in to reality by the changing landscape for car manufacturers, where they seek to find a more secure future with takeovers, mergers and partnerships. Which is all very logical, even if it will inevitably lead to less choice for the car buyer in the long term.

Sebastian Vettel’s 2013 F1 title: the stats

By Ollie Kew Motor Industry 28 October 2013 11:30 In winning the 2013 Indian Grand Prix this week – his six straight victory of this season – Sebastian Vettel became the youngest driver ever to win four consecutive F1 world titles. Only two drivers have ever managed four titles on the trot before him: Juan Manuel Fangio (1953-58) and Michael Schumacher (with five in a row between 2000-2005). Frenchman Alain Prost is the only other driver to have taken four F1 world titles – but no-one’s managed the feat as fast as Seb.

Vauxhall Astra facelift (2012) first official pictures

Vauxhall has treated its strong-selling Astra range to a minor facelift, and plumbed a 192bhp twin-turbo diesel motor into the GTC three-door model. The revisions will complement the new Astra VXR flagship, which goes on sale this month. Vauxhall Astra facelift?