London - The US' appetite for economical diesel-electric hybrid cars is waning as the recession bites and prices at the petrol pumps fall, according to the US-based Autodata motoring information service.

The news is a further blow to beleaguered US car companies General Motors, Chrysler and Ford who have been investing heavily in hybrid and fuel-efficient technology in a bid to attract new customers to the marques.

US hybrid sales fell in November 2008 by 53 per cent over the same month in 2007 against an overall drop in car sales of 37 per cent, reported the Financial Times newspaper in London, quoting the Autodata survey.

Detroit, Michigan  - With a worldwide recession driving car sales sharply lower, this week's Detroit Auto Show left most carmakers touting cheap, fuel-efficient and even electric cars as the wave of the future.

But Fisker Automotive, a California-based startup founded in 2005, is hoping the wealthy are just as interested in the environment as those looking to save money. The company rolled out a production-ready luxury sports car this week with a twin electric and petrol engine.

It took quite a long time for the Ford designers to create the latest concept car, the Lincoln C concept car of the future.  

Finally, after when the car’s design was locked last spring, makers went under strict observation and amendments for months, and at last Lincoln C concept car of the future unveiled Monday in Detroit.

Stuttgart - Fiat chief marketing officer Luca de Meo is to join Germany's Volkswagen grou

Leading auto-major, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) have added another feather to its cap.

The much-awaited Mahindra XYLO was launched on Tuesday by M&M Ltd at its Nashik plant.

Seoul - Cash-strapped South Korean carmaker Ssangyong Motor Co on Tuesday halted production for an unspecified period as its suppliers cut deliveries.

Production was stoped at its vehicle and motor plants at Pyongtaek, about 60 kilometres south of Seoul, the company said.

Several component suppliers halted deliveries, fearing that the SUV maker would not pay its bills after a court on Monday froze Ssangyong's debts, assets and obligations.

Ssangyong, the smallest of South Korea's five carmakers, on Friday filed for bankruptcy protection, and a court decision is still outstanding. If rejected, the company, which is 51 per cent owned by China's Shanghai Automotive Industry (SAIC), faces breakup.