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Fisker, Energy Department face tough Congressional hearing on federal loans

Struggling Fisker Automotive took a bludgeoning Wednesday on Capitol Hill from top congressional Republicans who compared Fisker to failed automotive startups of the past and lambasted the Department of Energy for allowing the electric-car producer to draw down nearly $200 million in taxpayer-funded loans. House Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., told Fisker founder Henrik Fisker that he will be remembered fondly for his design work for BMW and Aston Martin. But he compared Fisker to Malcolm Bricklin, John DeLorean and Preston Tucker -- three entrepreneurs known for their failed startup car companies.

BMW confirms its hiring of former Opel product chief Frank Weber

BMW AG confirmed it has hired Frank Weber, former head of product planning at General Motors Co.'s Opel/Vauxhall unit. Weber will become head of vehicle architecture and integration at BMW, a spokesman for the premium carmaker told Automotive News Europe today. The spokesman did not give details of when Weber will start at BMW.

BMW X6 show debut

By Gavin Green First Official Pictures 14 January 2008 01:34 Affluent German makers now try the shotgun rather than the sniper’s approach to new model sectors – fire enough speculative models out into the market, and some are sure to hit the target. We’ve had sports activity vehicles, urban activity vehicles and just about every other type of crazy crossover as carefully focused as a blunderbuss. Now BMW invents yet another niche – the sports activity coupé.