Stuttgart, Germany  - A new generation of battery-powered Smart cars would be fitted with a lithium-ion battery next year with a pilot test in London possibly being extended to Los Angeles, Germany

Munich  - Most European countries have imposed hefty penalties for the use of mobile phones in the car with fines of between 100 and 160 euros (160 and 255 dollars), according to Germany's motoring

Berlin  - Volkswagen is planning to revive a convertible version of the Golf with the start of sales start scheduled for 2010, Germany's Auto Bild newspaper reports.

Hamburg  - The increased use of biofuels has been partially responsible for a hefty increase in food prices worldwide with Western governments now having second thoughts on "green fuels" such as et

Detroit, US  - The United States' largest automaker General Motors (GM) announced it is set to lay off 3,500 workers as it reduces its production of pickup trucks and heavy four-wheel vehicles due

Munich - German auto group BMW AG reported Tuesday a bigger-than-forecast slump in first-quarter earnin