Dor-455-5003 on 2040-parts.com

Volkswagen to take full control of Porsche

Volkswagen Group's decision to take full control of Porsche Automobil Holding SE's carmaking business is seen as positive by analysts. VW said it has agreed to buy the remaining 50.1 percent of Porsche SE's automotive business that it doesn't already own for 4.46 billion euros ($5.54 billion), ending a seven-year takeover saga that divided two of Germany's most powerful families. The agreement means Volkswagen can now fully fold the Porsche automaking business into its stable of brands, which range from Audi and Bentley sedans to Skoda and Seat volume models and Ducati motorbikes.

Saab shutdown would doom new 9-5, 9-3 models

The new Saab 9-5 sedan and a proposed replacement for the 9-3 will be killed off if General Motors Co. winds down its Swedish subsidiary, AutoWeek has learned. The new 9-5, a longer-wheelbase version of the Opel Insignia and the Buick Regal, is poised to go down in the annals of automotive history as a major rarity--a design that was fully tooled for production yet never got built.

Design Development: KTM X-Bow

KTM is an Austrian motorcycle company. Originally it produced only off-road bikes, but now it also makes ATVs / quads and road orientated machines, all focused on the enthusiast end of the motorbike market - there are no retro-cruisers, scooters or large screened tourers in the KTM range. In the summer of 2005, this hardcore motorbike company, along with their design partner of 14 years, Kiska, embarked on a research project, which within 6 months saw them committed to adding a sports car to their range.