The model of Maruti A-Star, the much-awaited latest small car model which was showcased at the Delhi Auto Expo earlier this year, will be launched in India on November 19. The model, expectedly priced at Rs 3.85 lakh, also marks the launch of the new KB series engines in India.

It will be the first car that will be produced exclusively in India, and the engine production commenced in October this year. A-Star shares its platform with Maruti Alto in India, as it has a similar 2360 mm wheelbase.

Wolfsburg, Germany - Volkswagen reported a drop in sales in October but predicted it would sell more cars in 2008 than it did last year.

Europe's largest automaker said it delivered 502,600 vehicles last month, a drop of 5.1 per cent from a year ago. Sales in the first 10 months of 2008 were up 2.8 per cent to
5.29 million.

VW said increased sales in emerging economies like China and Brazil helped offset a slump in demand in western Europe.

Washington - German Chancellor Angela Merkel has invited leaders from automaker Opel to talks on Monday to discuss the company's financial status.

On Friday, the car company requested credit guarantees from the government, saying it wants the guarantees to counter a downturn in car orders. However, the unit of General Motors Corp, which itself is seeking a US government bailout, said it was facing no liquidity problems.

"It is important that we consult about the proper steps to take so we can try to support the automobile industry," said Merkel on the sidelines of the global financial summit in Washington.

Washington  - Germany is examining the carmaker Opel's request for government credit guarantees, Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck said.

"We are looking into it to see whether it's appropriate," Steinbrueck said Friday night in Washington on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit of developed and emerging economies.

Hyundai Motor India Ltd is planning to launch a smaller car model than Santro in the Indian market. Senior Vice-President (Marketing and Sales) of Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), Arvind Saxena said that small car would hit the market in 2011. He said that the ongoing slowdown due to international crisis has adversely hit automobile industry across the globe but it has not impacted growth of Hyundai. The company has a huge export base and it is growing despite global financial crisis.

SKF India, the largest supplier of automotive bearings, has announced the postponement of its new manufacturing facility at Haridwar, which was to be set up at a cost of Rs 150 crore. 

Rakesh Makhija, Managing Director, SKF India stated “We have decided to postpone work at the Haridwar plant due to a slowdown in market demand. However, there is not much impact on the demand for industrial products and our Rs 300-crore investment in the other plant at Ahmedabad, which will make equipment for the industrial sector, is on track. The plant will be operational next year.”