Tokyo  - Suzuki Motors Corp bought back its 3.02-per-cent stake from the US auto giant General Motors Crop (GM), the Japanese automaker said Tuesday.

The purchase of all the 16,413,000 shares came to about 22.37 billion yen (230.7 million dollars), Suzuki said.

Suzuki now owns about 20 per cent of its own outstanding shares, while GM lost its ownership in Suzuki, ending a 27-year investment.

The two automakers would continue joint projects such as development of hybrid cars, fuel cells and power trains.

Washington  - The White House and Congressional Democrats agreed Monday that something must be done to rescue the US automotive industry, but they were far apart on how to get there.

Congressional Democrats appeared intent on taking 25 billion dollars from the 700-billion-dollar emergency bail-out legislation to help the industry, and were formulating further legislation expected to be introduced later Monday.

The model of Maruti A-Star, the much-awaited latest small car model which was showcased at the Delhi Auto Expo earlier this year, will be launched in India on November 19. The model, expectedly priced at Rs 3.85 lakh, also marks the launch of the new KB series engines in India.

It will be the first car that will be produced exclusively in India, and the engine production commenced in October this year. A-Star shares its platform with Maruti Alto in India, as it has a similar 2360 mm wheelbase.

Wolfsburg, Germany - Volkswagen reported a drop in sales in October but predicted it would sell more cars in 2008 than it did last year.

Europe's largest automaker said it delivered 502,600 vehicles last month, a drop of 5.1 per cent from a year ago. Sales in the first 10 months of 2008 were up 2.8 per cent to
5.29 million.

VW said increased sales in emerging economies like China and Brazil helped offset a slump in demand in western Europe.

Washington - German Chancellor Angela Merkel has invited leaders from automaker Opel to talks on Monday to discuss the company's financial status.

On Friday, the car company requested credit guarantees from the government, saying it wants the guarantees to counter a downturn in car orders. However, the unit of General Motors Corp, which itself is seeking a US government bailout, said it was facing no liquidity problems.

"It is important that we consult about the proper steps to take so we can try to support the automobile industry," said Merkel on the sidelines of the global financial summit in Washington.

Washington  - Germany is examining the carmaker Opel's request for government credit guarantees, Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck said.

"We are looking into it to see whether it's appropriate," Steinbrueck said Friday night in Washington on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit of developed and emerging economies.