Triggering speculation about the Japanese firm’s intentions for its Indian subsidiary, Suzuki Motor Corp has raised its stake in Maruti Suzuki to 55 per cent. The step may be part of a larger plan to take complete control of the country’s top car manufacturer.

Even before the first models reach U.S. dealers, the Chevrolet Cruze is among the fastest-growing nameplates in the world with sales rising an average of 18 per cent per month. Internationally, customers have purchased 140,000 Cruze in the first six months of 2010 and a total of 270,000 since Cruze launched in the spring of 2009 in Europe, followed by other major markets, like China.

BMW India on Thursday launched two new variants of the best selling BMW 3 Series Sedan, the new BMW 320d Corporate Edition (Diesel) and the new BMW 330i (Petrol). The new cars will be available at BMW India dealerships across India from 25 February 2010 onwards.

Apollo Tyres Ltd will be investing Rs 1100 Crore this year in its 9 plants in India and abroad and was looking at Asia for expansion, a top official of the company said. “We will be looking at several countries for expansion. We are looking at Asia where we see lot of growth potential,” said Apollo Chairman, Onkar S Kanwar. Without naming the country, he said depending on raw material availability and expansion of market, a decision would be taken.

Japanese car manufacturing giant Toyota Motor Corp has said that it would recall 4,12,000 high-end passenger cars in the United States for steering related problems. Toyota, which has performed a range of car recalls this year, will recall 3,73,000 of its 2000-2004 model year Avalon sedans due to the fact that the steering lock bar in these vehicles could snap under certain conditions, it said in a statement.

French car maker Renault would launch its first sedan, the Influence in India by 2011, a top company official said on Wednesday. “We will introduce the first sedan Influence by 2011 and a SUV Koleos by 2012-13,” Renault India Country General Manager and Managing Director Marc Nassif told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Chennai.

Super luxury car manufacturer Rolls Royce is aiming to sell a total of 50 units this year in India including the newly launched Ghost 2010 series, its authorised dealer said. “We are getting overwhelming response for the car in the country. It would take normally 2-3 months time for the delivery of the car after the firm order.

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Bajaj Auto’s new car project, a joint venture with Renault and Nissan, will be rolled out from the company’s Waluj manufacturing plant in Aurangabad, and from Chakan, near Pune, said Rajiv Bajaj, managing director. Bajaj also mentioned during the company’s annual general meeting, “The company is investing Rs 500 crore in this project.

The country’s largest auto maker, Tata Motors has said that it has entered into an agreement with private sector lender IndusInd Bank for financing its dealers. The agreement will allow dealers of Tata Motors access to finance from IndusInd Bank to meet their working capital requirements in addition to the existing retail finance arrangements, the auto maker said in a statement.

Buoyed by a robust 40.30 per cent jump in its net profit for the last quarter, M&M said that it will invest about Rs 8,600 Crore in the next five years for various purposes. The company reported a net profit of Rs 562.39 Crore for the quarter ended June 30 compared to Rs 400.85 Crore in the same quarter last fiscal.