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Chevrolet Volt prices announced

GM has revealed that the Volt hybrid could cost $33,500 (£21,000) in the US after government tax credits, making it nearly £2000 cheaper than Nissan’s Leaf electric car. The Volt’s List price is $41,000 (£26,300) but qualifies for a subsidy thanks to its low emissions. A basic Volt comes with Bluetooth and sat-nav but buyers can add leather seats and steering wheel, heated seats, rear camera, polished wheels and park assist.

GM cuts Facebook ad spending, but Ford steps on the gas

On the eve of Facebook's wildly anticipated initial public stock offering, General Motors said May 15 that it will stop buying advertisements on Facebook--about $10 million a year--but "remains committed" to the social network as part of "an aggressive content strategy with all our products and brands." In other words, GM will not pay Facebook for ads but will continue to maintain content, for which Facebook doesn't collect revenue. News of the decision was reported in The Wall Street Journal. But GM's position is far from universal.

Mercedes CLA starts to roll off production line in Hungary

The Mercedes CLA – the baby Mercedes CLS based on the new A Class – has started to roll off the production line at Kecskemét in Hungary. But that’s probably unfair; based as it is on the new A-Class, the CLA is a very good car under the skin, even if its big USP is the dramatic styling. Now, just over a week after the CLA got its first public reveal (if you don’t count the Mercedes Concept Style Coupe on which its based), the first production car has rolled off the line at the Mercedes plant in Kecskemét, Hungary.