New Mexico has become the first US state to sue the German automaker, Volkswagen, for breaching the Clean Air Act with huge levels of emissions as well as for trade malpractices. The allegation is the company sold as many as 4000-10000 faulty models whose nitrogen-oxide emissions exceeded the limits by 40%, which could cost VW almost $20 billion in fines.

BMW becomes the first car to integrate a unique free feature into its vehicles, the IFTTT (If This Then That) services. This feature provides its customers with a host of personalized services through a newly built platform called BMW Labs. The customers are now able to automatically open garage doors while pulling into the driveway. They can send auto-alerts to spouse upon picking up kids from school, and even get the exact location of the parking spot in a Google Maps link.

The Japanese car maker again previewed its S-FR concept, first introduced on October last year. The new model has seen some changes and improvements compared to last year's. It is believed that the production will start this year and the affordable sports car would be available in the global markets.

Ford Motor has announced on Monday that they would be exiting the Japanese and Indonesian markets by the end of this year as the governments are running a very "closed" market, protecting domestic sales over the international ones. The automaker has been unable to increase their sales or sustain profits under such circumstances. They said that the employees have already been informed and they would be providing detailed explanations regarding post-sale services like servicing and providing new car parts to its customers very soon.

The statement came from Baidu's senior vice president Wang Jing. He believes that Baidu has some advantage over other car makers, especially local knowledge. The company has already invested a lot in the development of AI, that could help the development of autonomous cars.

Tesla cars sale fell below analyst expectation and its inability to roll out the Model X as promised lead J.P. Morgan analyst to reduce its profit projection for the fourth-quarter.

The Miata hasn’t witnessed the best presentation through the years. Mazda has represented MX-5 generation Miata in the Tokyo Auto Salon 2016. The uproar from the audience indicates that the Miata generation now claims due status in the sports car segment. The new widened Miata has absorbed inspirations from a lot of tuning cultures and thus proclaimed as the largest road racers in the US.

Hinrich J. Woebcken, a former BMW executive, has been appointed by emission scandal-hit Volkswagen to oversee business operations in the US, Canada and Mexico. Woebcken will assume charge from 1 April 2016. Audi and Porsche brand don't come under Woebcken's area of operations. However, Volkswagen has retained Michael Horn as CEO of Volkswagen Group America Inc. The emission-scandal hit Volkswagen has been facing regulatory investigations in the US.

Two of Fiat 500L used by Pope Francis during his visit in U.S. will be auctioned next week in Philadelphia Auto Show. Pope used the car during his historic visit to U.S. last September.

GM with its main Chinese partner have opened a Cadillac plant in Shanghai on Thursday, 21 Jan 2016 to take advantage of the potential growth in the overcrowded luxury market of China. Cadillac plant has capacity to produce 160,000 vehicles annually. Cadillac believe the luxury car market offer a lot margin opportunity notwithstanding pressure in pricing. Shares of GM have been reported trading on NYSE higher by more than 1 percent on Thursday.