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Volkswagen plans 4 million cars from one platform

Volkswagen is pushing the global-platform concept to a level unprecedented in the auto industry, introducing a modular platform this summer that eventually will be the basis of microcars, sedans, crossovers and SUVs for its four largest brands. While automakers now share platforms across brands and sometimes even segments, the VW initiative that starts this summer is far more ambitious than anything seen so far. By 2017, some analysts estimate, the MQB platform that debuts with the Audi A3 eventually will be used in 4 million units a year--close to half of VW's annual production.

BMW X6M and BMW X5M Revealed

The BMW X6M & X5M revealed ahead of the New York Car Show [ad#ad-1] Well, this was supposed to be a big reveal for the New York Motor show, which kicks off to the paying public on the 10th, and journos a few days before. But fuzzy scans of the new BMW X6M and BMW X5M turned up on the web a couple of days ago, so it looks like BMW has decided to get the info out as soon as possible. Yes, it’s a rotten time to be bringing out a new, big 4×4, much less one with over 500bhp.

Campaign to tackle used car faults

A NEW INITIATIVE by the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) to help the public avoid the dangers of buying a used car has been launched. It comes after research by the TSI that shows a half of all used cars show up with a fault within a month of being bought by a new owner. In the past 12 months, the TSI has received 84,000 complaints about used cars.