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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).

SEMA 2008 show report: Hummer H3

By Ben Whitworth Motor Shows 07 November 2008 09:49 Las Vegas being Las Vegas – and SEMA being SEMA – there’s probably no better place to unveil a trio of modded Hummers H3s. GM bosses bill the H3T Weekend Warrior, the H3 X and the H3 Alpha concepts as the last word in Hummer-ness. Let’s hope they’re serious about the ‘last’ bit… Perhaps.

Arabian horse inspires bespoke Rolls Royce Phantom Mirage [w/gallery]

Rolls-Royce has created a bespoke Phantom Coupé named Mirage, inspired by the powerful Arabian stallion of the same name that became famous during the 1920s and ‘30s. The one-off car, designed for the United Arab Emirates market, features a matte black exterior with horse's head incorporated into its coachline detail, a motif that continues into the Mugello Red and black interior. There is also silver detailing such as the rope inlay on the front fascia and door capping.