The Mercedes-Benz E-Class runout sale has been so effective the company has run out of current models three weeks ahead of the launch of the new E-Class later this month.

Renault has reviewed its business operations in light of the economic downturn, and won't field a communications manager any longer. Managing director Rudi Koenig will liaise with the press henceforth. I'm sure he's looking forward to that.

BMW has announced booming sales of its diesel models. One-third of all BMWs sold so far in Australia this year have been diesels.

Skoda has launched the new Superb, the most luxurious Skoda ever. The car kicks off at about $43k, plus on-road costs, with a bunch of hi-tech petrol and diesel Volkswagen Group engines.

Hyundai has ranked first among the volume brands in the latest J D Power & Associates Quality Survey.

The Audi A4 and Q5 have been awarded five stars in the new EuroNCAP vehicle safety ratings.

BMW has begun trials of its speed limit display system in Australia. The system reads roadside speed limit signs and uses an onboard database to display the prevailing limit in the instrument cluster.

Ford will decide next month how it will tweak the Falcon powertrain for economy. It needs to stay in the game against Holden, which looks likely to downsize the Commodore V6.