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Volkswagen & Suzuki – it’s handbags at dawn

Volkswagen Suzuki Partnership - things aren't exactly rosy Back in 2009 Volkswagen invested a rather large chunk of change (around €2 billion) in Suzuki in exchange for a 20% stake in the Japanese car maker, and there were big hopes for advantages for both parties. Volkswagen were looking for a quick-fix route to the burgeoning car market in India, where Suzuki were doing very well, with sales in India last year of 1.13 million cars – almost half its production – in comparison to VW’s paltry sales of just 53,000. In return, Suzuki were expecting to get a quick route to cutting-edge hybrid and electric tech for their range, and access to VW’s engines.

Jaguar slashes prices – in Australia

Jaguar has slashed prices across its range in Australia – by as much as £40,000 – as it fights for a bigger market share. But there’s also a feeling that all those years of protectionist import tariffs have inured Australians to the high price of luxury cars, and that car makers take advantage of that by keeping prices high, regardless of the level of taxes imposed on their products. That means something like a Rolls Royce Phantom costs £650k and a Porsche 911 starts at £150k.

2013 Toyota Auris: Price from £14,495

The new Toyota Auris is heading for a debut at Paris 2012 and Toyota has now revealed prie and specification ahead of its reval. Starting point will be £14,495 and there will be four trim grades - Active, Icon, Sport and Excel – as well as two petrol engines – 1.33 Dual VVT-i and 1.6 litre Valvematic – a single 1.4 litre D-4D diesel and a hybrid, with the diesel and petrols getting a six-speed manual ‘box and Toyota’s Multidrive S CVT an option on the 1.6 petrol. The Auris hybrid gets the E-CVT automatic.