Hyundai has released information about its new diesel 'R-Engine', which makes use of a close-coupled particulate filter and a super-efficient exhaust gas recirculation with by-pass valve.

The engine - which meets Euro-5 emissions regulations - is available at either 2.0 or 2.2 litres and is hugely powerful, producing 184PS/392Nm and 200PS/436Nm respectively.

http://www.newspress.co.uk/DAILY_LINKS/arc_nov_2008/56365hyu.htm

The South Korean automaker has also revealed recently that it intends to expand its production of small, fuel-efficient cars in emerging markets such as China and India.

Business Strategy Planning Managing Director Yoon Mong-Hyun explained that demand for the company's small cars will incorporate 60 per cent of its global sales in 2009 - up from 55 per cent for 2008.

Hyundai has also unveiled designs for its first gas-electric hybrid vehicles, with Senior Vice-President Yang Woong-Chui admitting: "It's about time we get on the boat - I don't think we are too late."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h0NMmCFqOigBDkhWGNB-o6T8Hxkg

US giant General Motors has opened its first wholly-owned factory in Russia as it looks to capitalise on its position as the best-selling foreign automaker in the country.

The new $300 million development, which will be built on the outskirts of St Petersburg, looks set to be able to produce around 70,000 cars per year.

The firm recently posted figures which revealed that its Russian sales were up by 44 per cent to 257,000 units during the first nine months of 2008, compared to the industry year-on-year average of 23 per cent.

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSL655814220081106?sp=true

China's Science and Technology Minister has reportedly championed the benefits of gasoline hybrids and electric drive trains as the country looks to tackle pollution and its dependence on imported oil.

Wan Gang is said to believe that clean diesel vehicles are less useful, despite their ability to offer similar fuel efficiency improvements to electric-hybrid cars, often less expensively.

He claimed that continuing to mass-produce clean diesel would require a huge overhaul of the country's outdated refineries, potentially costing hundreds of billions of yuan.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKSHA9754920081112

Staying in China, the country's largest automaker, SAIC Motor Corporation, has announced that it will be investing around $293 million to develop fuel-efficient vehicles.

It will hold a 90 per cent stake in a joint project with its state-owned parent company which is designed to create improved hybrid and electric vehicles.

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSSHA9593920081125

Senior figures at the European Union (EU) have suggested that the continent's automakers may need financial support from its various governments.

Auto firms have stated their request to receive around €40 billion worth of soft loans to combat slumping demand in the midst of the global financial crisis.

Jean-Pierre Joyuet, French Minister for European Affairs, said: "Targeted and temporary measures to support European producers might be useful, in part to increase technological and ecological performance."

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSLJ73406920081119

Meanwhile, German automaker Volkswagen showcased its wide range of diesel-powered vehicles on 19th November at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.

It unveiled the new Touareg V6 TDI clean diesel SUV, which complies with all US emissions regulations and makes use of common rail injection and the most advanced catalytic converter system in the world.

According to EPA ratings, it can attain 25mpg, while also being able to travel for around 600 miles per tank, thanks to its 26.4-gallon capacity.

http://news.prnewswire.com/ViewContent.aspx?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/11-19-2008/0004929332&EDATE=

Ford Motor Corporation, the second-biggest automaker in the US, has announced that it will cut production in Europe by around ten per cent next year as demand for new cars continues to slide.

Spokesman Adrian Schmitz also confirmed that the company intends to release temporary workers, cancel shifts and suspend work across all its European plants.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aoEcPGhnIy5k&refer=us

Finally, Toyota, the world's largest automaker, has lost its AAA credit rating, which effectively means that the industry as a whole has suffered markedly from the global economic downturn.

The downgrading of the firm's unsecured debt to AA status comes after it cut £6.8 billion from its full-year earning estimates and its position as the biggest profits generator in Japan now appears to be under threat.

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/engineering/article5235220.ece