Yamaha 90201-103u7-00 90201-103u7-00 Washer, Plate on 2040-parts.com

News watch November 2012: today's auto industry news

Welcome to CAR Magazine's news aggregator as we round up the daily stories in the auto industry. Top tip: news summaries are added from the top hour-by-hour Friday 30 November 2012• Europe's trade ministers are looking at a free-trade pact with Japan, despite resistance from EU car manufacturers. Currently Japanese cars attract a 10% tariff upon import to Europe.

New Kia Carens gets new range-topper – the Carens 3 Sat Nav

New Kia Carens gets new range-topper – the Carens 3 Sat Nav But it seems Kia’s customers are shouting out for something that offers more standard equipment than the regular, not very inventive, trim levels of 1, 2 and 3, so Kia has decided to add a fourth option – the Kia Carens 3 Sat Nav to the range. The Carens 3 already comes with a decent enough spec – including panoramic roof, 17″ alloys, leather, heated seats, second row sun blinds and colour reversing camera – but the 3 Sat Nav adds a 7″ touchscreen SatNav and new audio system with 8-channel amp and sub woofer offering a better sound experience for all occupants. The Carens 3 Sat Nav is only available with Kia’s 134bhp 1.7 litre CRDI with 6-speed manual ‘box and costs from £24,845.

Toyota to launch 2 Prius variants in U.S. by 2013, report says

Toyota Motor Corp. reportedly plans to launch two variants of its Prius hybrid in the United States by 2013 as it ramps up plans to leverage its gasoline-electric drivetrain technology to meet stricter emissions standards. One of the new hybrids will be bigger than the Prius, the other smaller, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing unidentified dealers who attended this week's national dealer conference in Las Vegas.