As car makers prepare to launch more diesel cars to the US this year, BMW Chief Executive Stefan Krause told the BBC that diesel models are actually quite good for the environment. "If you point out the environmental friendliness of these cars and if you point out that it's more cost effective than petrol, then high performance diesels will be accepted," he said. Modern diesel fuels have a sulphur content limited to 15 parts per million (ppm) while old diesel fuels had up to 500ppm.

According to a Lehman Brothers analyst, the automobile market has "underestimated GM's ability to grow". Brian Johnson, an analyst in New York said the company is ready to outpace the industry. He expects GM to do well in the fast growing markets of China and Latin America.

High polluting vehicles in London will be charged £25 to enter the congestion charge zone. But cars will low emissions will get a 100 per cent discount while normal cars are expected to pay about £8. The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, said: "If everybody in London stayed with the same car they've got, but with a less polluting engine, we would reduce carbon emissions in London by 7per cent."

China exported a total of 612,700 vehicles during 2007 - an increase of 78.95 per cent. A total of 314,200 vehicles were imported, according to figures from the China Association of Automobile Manufactures. Commercial vehicles led the exports with a total of 248,000 heavy duty trucks being shipped. Super-heavy trucks were also popular as 25,200 units were shipped representing an increase of 372 per cent.

Diesel cars are making a comeback as consumers look for vehicles with better fuel economy, it has been claimed. Car makers are ready to put more diesel passenger cars on the road with Volkswagen introducing the Jetta this year. According to reports from the Press Enterprise, the Diesel Technology Forum expects Adui, BMW, Cadillac, Saturn, Nissan and others to release diesel model by 2010. According to the forum, drivers recoup the costs of a more expensive car because of better fuel economy.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd