Berlin - Air conditioners in cars boost fuel consumption, but motorists can reduce this negative effect by using them more effectively, according to the German Energy Agency (dena).

For journeys lasting less than five minutes, it is better to leave the air conditioning switched off because energy consumption is highest during the start-up phase, the agency said.

Even during hot weather, it is not necessary to cool the car down a lot. A difference of five degrees Celsius between the indoor and outdoor temperature is sufficient, dena recommended.

Munich - BMW is hoping to transfer hybrid technology from its Formula 1 cars to the M sport model range as part of a plan to make the cars more fuel efficient, according to BMW's head of technology research Albert Biermann.

The effectiveness of combining a combustion engine with an electric or hybrid drive was limited. In the long term, the company was looking at more technology transfer from the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) that will be used for the BMW-Sauber Formula 1 cars in the 2009 racing season, Biermann said.

Hamburg - When the Ford Model T went into production in 1908, it marked the beginning of an era when motoring became affordable to the masses and an end to the horse and cart age.

Thousands of enthusiasts the world over are this week celebrating the centenary of the car affectionately known as "Tin Lizzie" in Richmond, Indiana in the United States.

It is just one of several events leading up to the October 1 anniversary when the first Model T drove off the assembly line.

The Model T was a dream come true for Henry Ford who wanted to make transportation by motor car affordable by introducing assembly line production.

Hamburg - Checking the oil level in a car often ends in frustration in a bid to find the oil stick and getting your hands all dirty.

Instead, why not just press a button in the car with a display indicating the exact oil level?

Several new cars already have such a comfortable feature which car parts supplier Hella has made available to several manufacturers over the past two years.

Now engineers at Hella have developed a more advanced Ultrasonic Level Sensor (Puls) that not only puts an end to all the hassle of opening the bonnet for the regular oil check but monitors the quality of the oil, telling the driver exactly when he should go for an oil change.

Wolfsburg, Germany  - Volkswagen is to launch its eagerly awaited new Golf 6 model in October, Europe's biggest carmaker said Tuesday.

Following its introduction in Europe, the company's top-selling car will be sold in Africa, Asia, Australia and North America.

VW chief executive Martin Winterkorn said the company hoped to sell 600,000 of the new model during its first full year of production in 2009.

Last year, VW sold 580,000 of the current Golf 5 model.

Tokyo  - Toyota Motor Corp was to gain full ownership of its South African subsidiary by late August, the Japanese company said Tuesday.

Toyota reached an agreement with its joint venture partner Wesco Investments Ltd to acquire the remaining 25-per-cent share in Toyota South Africa (Pty) Ltd, worth about
29.8 billion yen (276.3 million dollars).

By making the South African unit a wholly owned subsidiary, Toyota plans to boost local production, sales and exports, Japan's top carmaker said.