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Vauxhall workers reject redundancy offer European Commission opens enquiry into Portugal’s Volkswagen grant Germany: BMW considers extension to Panke’s contract China: BMW may open second plant China: BMW joint venture to triple local component sourcing US: BMW to use methane gas to power paint shop Interview: Dr Gerald Weber, Head of Truck Product Creation, DaimlerChrysler US: Chrysler to add 1,000 jobs in Belvidere US: DaimlerChrysler to launch hybrid in 2008 Canada: Wescast wins new Chrysler work Italy: Fiat to buy back Ferrari stake Italy: Iveco and Santana sign letter of intent India: Iveco considers selling stake in Ashok Leyland India: Tata uses Fiat paint shop Argentina: Fiat to manufacture gearbox for PSA Australia: Prime Minister grants Aus$50m aid to Ford Japan: Jaguar to cut prices, line-up US: Standard & Poor’s warns of Ford downgrade US: Ford to postpone launch of redesigned F-Series Super Duty UK: Aston Martin’s Rapide to enter production Slovakia: Getrag Ford details expansion plans China: Ford to expand dealer network Portugal: GM to cut plant costs US: Clarke to head North America US: GM to ramp up Solstice production US: Hummer H1 exits production Brazil: GM to downsize workforce at São José dos Campos Sweden: Engine plant to close China: Local production of Cadillac CTS and SRX halted US: Honda to invest ¥50bn in new plant Japan: Honda to build new plant in Yorii Japan: Hybrid Insight to exit production Japan: Honda unveils new bio-fabric Turkey: Honda considers US$250m investment Hyundai: how much forgiveness does US$100m buy? Slovakia: Kia outlines plans for Zilina factory India: Hyundai plans second powertrain plant MAN: suffering from an identity crisis? Germany: MAN considers Navistar stake Germany: MAN starts year off strongly Canada: Ontario tries for new Nissan plant Japan: Nissan and Suzuki consider broader OEM alliance Australia: Mitsubishi cuts white-collar staff Japan: Mitsubishi announces production and sales volumes for April France: Ryton workers take protest to Paris Japan: Citroën to boost dealership network Iran: Renault signs Logan deal UK: Renault and Toyota in war of words over hybrids Scania: setting sail for an Indian adventure US: Toyota North America chief steps down Europe: Toyota to increase marketing budget for Lexus China: Toyota drafts ambitious plan for Chinese operations South Africa: Strike hits Toyota production Slovakia: Daihatsu considering new car plant Japan: Toyota, Nippon Oil develop high-grade biodiesel US: Volkswagen to withdraw three diesel models for 2007 South Africa: Volkswagen invests in new paint shop Russia: Volkswagen selects Kaluga for new plant site Germany: Volkswagen in talks with DaimlerChrysler and Chery for new model Colombia: Volvo to supply 118 buses China: Volvo boss reveals truck market details Sweden: Volvo releases bare details on its new middleweights Russia: AvtoVAZ to manufacture military off-roader Poland: AvtoZAZ to invest US$130m Russia: Chery launches locally assembled vehicles Japan: Fuji Heavy announces new president China: Gonow launches GX6 SUV in Shenyang India: Hindustan to restructure Uttarpara plant UK: Lotus appoints new acting chief executive officer UK: Lotus to build new supercar in Norfolk Japan: Mazda announces development of new bioplastic Japan: Mazda opens new proving ground Russia: Mahindra to set up three-way joint venture China: Nanjing Automotive reshapes Yuejin brand Germany: Porsche to build Panamera in Leipzig Malaysia: Proton and Chery join forces April European car sales April global light vehicle sales Country focus: Hong Kong Financials: European,Japanese & US manufacturers, 2006 - By Jonathan Storey