Munich - Most car breakdowns are caused by defective batteries and the electronic system, according to figures released by Germany's automobile association ADAC.

About 40 per cent of 2.5 million breakdowns listed by the ADAC were a direct result of battery problems.

"This confirms a trend over several years," said ADAC spokesman Maximilian Maurer. Battery technology has remained the same for the past two decades while having to cope with more electronic equipment such as seat heating and electric windows.

"The average car battery today has a lifespan of between four and six years. More is just not possible," Maurer said.

Ingolstadt, Germany - Audi has given its Q7 Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) a makeover with several styling changes and more efficient and cleaner engines.

Along with the 3.0 TDI, the car maker is offering a TDI clean diesel version with a consumption listed at 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres or 26.43 to the gallon (US).

Among the design changes is a new single-frame radiator grille

with vertical chrome bars contrasting with a black high-gloss finish. From the side, the vehicle has a more coupe-like roofline.

Wiesbaden, Germany - Annual inflation in Germany climbed to 0.7 per cent April from 0.5 per cent for the year ending in March, according to preliminary figures released on Tuesday. Increased spending on fuel and package tours during the Easter holidays, accounted for the rise, the Federal Statistics Office said, citing data from six of Germany's federal states.

The March inflation rate was the lowest in nearly a decade.

Berlin - The German Government is to slash its 2009 growth forecast, official sources told the German Press Agency Tuesday as Europe's biggest economy faces up to its biggest downturn in 60 years. Berlin is to announce Wednesday that it now expects the nation's economy to shrink by a dramatic 6 per cent this year after the global recession tightened its grip on the nation's economy in the opening months of 2009.

Stuttgart - Jelena Jankovic hopes to return to the top of the women's tennis rankings now that she has regained her form at the start of the clay court season. The Serbian claimed the top spot in late 2008 but has slumped to a current number three with no title yet in 2009.

Jankovic on Tuesday attributed the slide to too much fitness training and personal problems in the off-season which made her slow and sluggish on the court.

Berlin - German Economics Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg met Tuesday morning with Canadian-Austrian car parts supplier Magna to discuss a possible Opel bailout. The Austrian-Canadian car parts supplier Magna has expressed interest in a majority stake of the stricken General Motors (GM) subsidiary, alongside Italian car manufacturer Fiat.