VW and Chinese ‘in talks to buy Vauxhall/Opel’ from GM

GM is considering selling its loss-making European operations, it emerged tonight. If it goes ahead and severs ties with GM Europe, the General would cede control of Vauxhall and Opel, the second biggest car brand in the UK.And in another extraordinary twist, CAR has confirmed that top-level talks have been taking place between Volkswagen and the German government, which is keen to avoid Opel falling into foreign hands. Chinese car makers are circling but Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has close connections to Volkswagen chief Martin Winterkorn, would prefer VW to step up to the plate as a potential buyer than a Chinese brand.

CAR's review of 2009: photos of the year

CAR designers Andy Franklin and Alex Tapley have pored over our photographers' output from 2009 and announced their favourite pictures of the year. We've set up a slideshow in the player below and you can flick back and forwards through CAR Magazine's best photos. CAR's famous for the quality of its photography and it's a tradition we're happy to uphold.

Fiat 500X teaser video ahead of 2014 Paris motor show

Fiat has issued this Youtube video of its new 500X crossover, which is destined to launch the Italian brand into the compact SUV market dominated by the Nissan Juke. Although an annoyingly restricted view of the 500X, it is possible to make out the silhouette and outline of the baby crossover, which goes on sale in the UK in time for the new 15-reg launch in March 2015. See the Fiat 500X in full at the 2014 Paris motor show on 2 October – we’ll have the first official photographs and news the moment the covers come off.