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Toyota & Lexus: Hybrid sales in Europe hit 20%

The ‘Green’ evangelists want to get us all driving electric cars to save the planet, but in the real world car drivers want a car that offers them all the practicality of a normal ICE car, but without the penalties of the poor range, high cost and inconvenience of an EV. So, with ever-rising fuel costs, it’s no wonder car buyers are willing to pay a little more for a car that offers better economy at the pumps – which plays straight in to the hands of Hybrid pioneers Toyota. The result is that Toyota and Lexus now see a full 20 per cent of their sale in Europe being hybrid cars in the first quarter of 2013, with sales of hybrid cars up a massive 82 per cent year-on-year.

Volkswagen mulls another SUV

Volkswagen is considering adding another crossover to its product portfolio as it takes aim at ambitious sales targets in the United States and overseas markets. “It's a part of our vision for the future,” Volkswagen Group of America CEO Jonathan Browning said. The vehicle would have SUV-style cues, and Browning said it's being discussed by company brass.

2014 Ram 1500 diesel in the works

Chrysler has announced that a diesel-powered Ram 1500 pickup is in the works. It's expected to hit dealer lots -- and presumably, America's family farms -- in the third quarter of 2013. Set to be released as a 2014 model year vehicle, the oil-burning 1500 will get a 3.0-liter V6 wearing Chrysler's new EcoDiesel branding.