I’m sure many of you have heard of the Volvo Safety Concept Car which were at car shows quite sometime ago. It won’t go to waste. Volvo is using the design cues from that car for it’s new Volvo C30 hatchback which will debut at the North American International Auto Show at Detroit soon.

The Volvo C30 is built on the same Ford C1 platform that’s used for the Volvo S40 sedan, Volvo V50 stationwagon, Volvo C70 convertible and Ford Focus.

This will be the smallest Volvo yet, and likely be the most affordable. It will go head on with other competition like BMW’s 1-series and the Audi A3.

Mazda has recalled their Mazda5 Mini MPVs due to a problem with the car’s exhaust system which could potentially lead to a fire. Three incidents have been reported in the US.

Recall notices have been sent out to Mazda owners and dealerships will arrange for rental vehicles for the owners to use while their Mazda5 is being repaired.

Source: Mazdaforum, Canadian Driver

Porsche shares dropped more than 10% after it announced plans to raise stakes in Volkswagen AG to 20% from the 5% it holds currently.

Looks like investors are not as confident of Porsche’s plan as Porsche are.

A team of 4 university students from York University have created an experimental project that could help identify car thieves or car accessory thieves at least.

Click here to read the rest of An alarm system that snaps photos

Not sure if stuff like these belong in gadget blogs or a car blog! Jaguar has showcased it’s new Pyrotechnic Pedestrian Deployable Bonnet System used on the Jaguar XK.

Click here to read the rest of Jaguar XK safety lid

I love this ad… keeps me wondering what on earth the guys were doing right until the very end!

Click here to read the rest of Volkswagen Golf GTI Advertisement

Volkswagen is in crisis lately, hit by a strong Euro and weak sales. Some of it’s measures to counter this are plans to cut down it’s workforce by almost 10,000 German jobs, which could make a huge difference in high-wage Germany. It is also planning to assemble it’s next SUV in Portugal instead of Germany.

SEAT Ibiza

Which brings us to money-losing SEAT. Volkswagen owns the Spanish brand SEAT which makes sporty cars. Kind of reminds me of Alfa Romeo or Mazda.

Click here to read the rest of SEAT in hot soup?

Statistics have shown that in the first six months this year alone, 35,888 vehicles were stolen, leading to RM357 million ringgit in losses.

Click here to read the rest of Vehicles Stolen in Malaysia

Der Spiegel has reported that Porsche is preparing to purchase 20 percent of Volkswagen AG shares to become the main shareholder in the company.

Click here to read the rest of Porsche to buy 20% stake in Volkswagen AG

I previously blogged about the Brabus E V12 Biturbo based on the new Mercedes E-class. Brabus brings us another luxurious monster at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2005. This is the Brabus CLS V12 S Biturbo suitably nicknamed as the Brabus Rocket!

Click here to read the rest of Brabus Rocket CLS V12 S Biturbo