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Mercedes-Benz to cut production time, halve number of vehicle architectures

Mercedes-Benz is restructuring its global production network to cut the average production time for its models to 30 hours by 2015 from 43 in 2008. "We have increased productivity by 2 percent a year over the last few years. We will be accelerating our productivity efforts," Mercedes production boss Wolfgang Bernhard said during an investor conference that was part of the automaker's plant opening in Kecskemet, Hungary, on Thursday.

Honda to build subcompact cars in Mexico

Honda Motor Co. said Friday it will build an $800 million assembly plant in Mexico to produce subcompact vehicles for the Mexican and North American markets. The Japanese automaker said the plant is scheduled to begin operation in 2014 with an annual capacity of 200,000 units.

Business groups call for Severn tolls cut

BUSINESS groups are calling for a reduction in the Severn Bridge tolls as soon as the famous structure comes into public ownership. Following the recent announcement that tolls will be set to increase, the Federation of Small Businesses in Wales and the Freight Transport Association (FTA) have called for the tolls to be reduced to a level that only covers maintenance. In a joint statement the groups expressed their concern for the negative impact the increased tolls could have on the southern Welsh economy.