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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.

Update: Google's robot car is like driving an elevator

Welcome to the future everyone, you may now release all worries, and all control. Google has released photos and video of its first self-driving vehicle, and a Ferrari 458 it ain't. The car pod people mover has no steering wheel, no gas pedal and no brakes.

Holidaymakers to drive over 1,000 miles

BRITISH families will rack up a total of 15.7 billion miles in their own cars during holidays this year. Research from Kwik-Fit suggests that motorists using their vehicle for trips will drive an average of 1,082 miles each. The vast majority of these trips will be within the UK, with 13.2 million cars being used for domestic holidays.