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.

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.

Wolfsburg- Volkswagen celebrates this month the 40th birthday of the VW 411 sedan that in many ways marked a new era for a carmaker, until then known primarily for the production of the Beetle.

Launched with much fanfare under the slogan: "There has never been a VW like this before," some 367,728 units were produced from 1968 until production ceased in July 1974.

Wolfsburg, Germany - The streaks of colour on concrete bollards, the corners of buildings on car wings and mudguards speak louder than words - parking is a big problem for many motorists, even long after they have passed the driving test.

Carmakers already offer customers a range of on-board sensors and cameras to aid reversing while some models feature dashboard monitors with graphic displays. These are all designed to ease the squeeze into awkward parking spaces, yet the unsightly dents and scrapes on car bodywork persist.

Wolfsburg, Germany - Volkswagen is offering a special, transparent foil to protect cars from gravel, scratch marks and other damage.

Wolfsburg, Germany - Volkswagen's top researcher warned Saturday th