News watch March 2010: today's auto industry news

Tuesday 30 March 2010• Mercedes has dismissed claims that its Maybach brand is for sale, after reports in the Chinese media claimed Chinese car company BYD was considering a bid for the upmarket offshoot. BYD has also denied the claims (Reuters)• Toyota president Akio Toyoda has promised his company will listen more carefully to customers and react faster in a bid to regain credibility after the Japanese car manufacturer was forced to recall millions of vehilces over safety fears (BBC)• The Obama administration is expected to unveil its finalised fuel economy and tailpipe emissions through to 2016 this week, to coincide with the opening of the 2010 New York auto show (Detroit News)  Monday 29 March 2010• Toyota has agreed to licence the hybrid technology in the Prius to Mazda, which will combine the electric system with its next-gen Sky engines. It’s part of Mazda’s plans to increase the average fuel economy of its vehicles by 30% by 2015 (compared to 2008 levels) and it hopes to have its first hybrid vehicle on sale in Japan by 2013 (Mazda)• Ford and Chinese car company Geely have signed a stock purchase agreement that will allow the latter to acquire 100% of Volvo (along with related assets including intellectual property rights).

Skoda Octavia vRS (2013) first official pictures

The Skoda Octavia vRS is back, faster and yet more fuel-efficient than ever. Available in booted hatchback or estate 'Combi' bodystyles, the hot Octavia has sports suspension, an electronic locking differential and as before, a choice of petrol or diesel engines. They're more powerful this time round though...

Renault Twingo

Renault has released the first official picture of the new Twingo, a model set to make its debut at the forthcoming Frankfurt motor show. A clear departure from current form, the revised Twingo adopts the DRG from the DeZir, R-Space and Captur concepts. The full width grille sits atop foglights reminiscent more of the Nissan Juke than the DeZir's smaller items.