Bonn, Germany  - A David-and-Goliath takeover offer for the German factories of General Motors sent the share price of the bidding company, SolarWorld, crashing 16 per cent lower Wednesday.

SolarWorld, which assembles and installs smaller electricity generating systems that rely on wind or the sun, asked GM to give it four factories, a German research centre, the Opel brand and 1 billion euros (1.25 billion dollars).

The Bonn-based company said it would inject an additional 1 billion euros of its own cash and loans to convert Opel into "Europe's first green automobile maker," designing cars with low- emission engines.

Paris  - Renault is showcasing a three-in-one concept of the Sand'Up at the Sao Paulo Motor Show. The new take combines aspects of a pick-up, convertible and coupe.

Based on the concept version of the Dacia Sandero hatchback, the Sand'Up allows three body structures with a load area that can be extended by 40 centimetres to 1.7 metres when the seats are folded down.

In addition, the Sand'Up can be fitted with a hard-top roof. It also features electro-hydraulic doors and a split tailgate. The 45- centimetre wheels are fitted with 235/50 off-road tyres.

Wolfsburg, Germany  - The new Golf VI generation has been given a top safety rating in the independent EuroNCAP crash test.

Testers described the model as an improvement on the predecessor Golf V, which scored lower marks against its main competitor, the Opel Astra.

The Golf scored 36 out of 37 possible points on occupant, pedestrian and child safety, with a maximum five-star rating for occupant safety.

Paris  - French carmaker Citroen is giving the 2009 model of the C1 a makeover. The new look includes a modified front and a more economical engine, which should lower fuel consumption to 4.5 litres per 100 kilometres.

The one-litre engine, with an output of 50 kilowatts/68 horsepower, has been adjusted so that carbon dioxide emissions are only 106 grammes per kilometre. Production of the Hdi 55-diesel version will end because of poor demand.

Stuttgart  - Porsche is said to be downplaying plans to build a special economical four-cylinder version of the Boxter, the British Autocar magazine has reported, quoting company sources.

A Porsche spokesman described the report as "pure speculation." The next generation of the Boxter Roadster and the Cayman coupe would still be offered with a six-cylinder engine, the spokesman added. He pointed out that they would be more economical because of direct injection systems.

Coventry, England  - The Jaguar XJ, which celebrates its 40th birthday this year, in a sense epitomizes the very best and worst of British motoring.

Driving an XJ is an emotional experience that clearly differs from the cool precision of taking the wheel in a Mercedes.

For a start, there is the distinct smell of the opulent leather interior coupled with neatly arranged dials on the wooden dashboard, giving it an aura of luxurious opulence.