Mercedes-Benz to drop the R-class in the U.S.

Mercedes-Benz will drop the slow-selling R-class wagon from its U.S. lineup after the 2012 model year. But the German automaker will continue to build the R-class at its plant in Alabama for export to other markets.

2011 Volkswagen Passat: Paris Motor Show 2010

The 2011 Volkswagen Passat at Paris Volkswagen like to call this 2011 VW Passat the seventh generation Passat. But it’s a sort of six and three-quarters Passat because, although every bit of sheet metal has been changed, the underpinnings stay the same. Up front the Passat gets a new set of lights and a new grill and the back sees a new set of lights.

Spyker, Youngman plan to build Saab-based cars

Dutch supercar maker Spyker says it will form two joint ventures with China's Zhejiang Youngman to produce Saab-based vehicles and a luxury SUV under the terms of a deal that will give Youngman a 29.9-percent share in Spyker. Youngman was one of the Chinese companies Spyker turned to for investment when it was trying to revive the Saab brand under its ownership. After failing to get approval for the sale from General Motors, a former Saab owner, the deal with Youngman collapsed and Saab was declared bankrupt in December 2011.