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News watch December 2010: today's auto industry news

Welcome to CAR Magazine's news aggregator as we round up the daily stories in the auto industry. Top tip: news summaries are added from the top hour-by-hourFriday 31 December 2010• A judge in Manhattan has dismissed two lawsuits from hedge funds claiming for $2bn losses when it bought VW shares in 2008. Elliott Associates LP, Black Diamond Offshore and 39 other funds filed a complaint, claiming Porsche misled short-sellers who hadn't realised that Porsche had cornered the market in VW shares (Automotive News)Thursday 30 December 2010• Volvo plans to hire an extra 200 staff as it claims demand for its cars is rising.

Mercedes SL 65 AMG 45th Anniversary brings a tear to the eye

Mercedes-Benz has released a promo video for the SL 65 AMG 45th Anniversary model giving grown men permission to cry. The 2012 Mercedes SL does look to offer far more for the driver than any SL that’s gone before, and the range-topping SL 65 promises to be a proper supercar. Mercedes are kicking off the SL65 with the Mercedes SL 65 AMG 45th Anniversary Edition, built to celebrate 45 years of AMG, which offers extra goodies over and above the already well specced SL 65.

Ford bets customers will pay premium prices for the Fiesta

Ford Motor Co. will charge more than $23,000 for a fully loaded Fiesta, a new car smaller than the Focus. Ford thinks consumers are ready to pay premium prices for small cars, which long have been dominated by budget shoppers.