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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.

Autoweek archives: BMW introduces the revvy 325is

This selection from the Autoweek archives comes from longtime contributor Phil Berg back in September 1987. Berg examines the BMW 325is, with its new, free-revving, 2.5-liter inline six-cylinder, making BMW’s small sedan an even more desirable ride. Compared with the more expensive Porsche 944 and Acura Legend, the BMW gets Berg’s nod of approval.

Walter de'Silva awarded medal for special services to Bavaria

Walter de'Silva has been awarded a medal for special services to the Free State of Bavaria. Volkswagen's head of group design was told in a letter from the Bavarian state minister of Federal and European Affairs Emilia Müller that he had "changed the form language and design culture of Germany as a vehicle designer," going on to praise his "outstanding achievement with the world-class company Audi". De'Silva says, "I am very pleased about this honor.