China's Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) has said it will expand its line-up of MG models built on platforms used by its Roewe models.

Commenting on today’s Budget, SMMT chief executive, Paul Everitt said, “Measures to encourage more and better priced lending to consumers and businesses, alongside additional support for investment in low carbon vehicle technologies are further evidence of the new priority given to UK motor manufacturing. There is disappointment that the introduction of first year VED rates has not been deferred, but the doubling of the annual investment allowance will give a lift to the commercial vehicle market.”

General Motors is close to reaching a joint-venture agreement that will keep its van plant at Luton open beyond 2013, the company's European boss has revealed.

Hopes that Britain could become the hub of a global green motoring revolution were boosted yesterday when Vauxhall indicated that its Ellesmere Port plant could become the home of the new electric Ampera.

The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) is set to launch three research projects focusing on the future of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in the UK. The projects, totalling £4.5 million, will include real-world tests with 40 drivers, 3,000 in-depth consumer surveys and a detailed analysis of the economic and carbon benefit case.

Thousands of car buyers hoping to take advantage of the scrappage scheme before it ends may have already missed their chance. Six of the biggest car makers have announced that they have run out of funding — two weeks before the scheme was supposed to close at the end of this month.

Used-car sales fell to the lowest level in almost a decade last year as the scrappage scheme encouraged buyers to turn to new models instead, new research shows.

The jobs of up to 4,000 UK workers were secured last week when AgustaWestland revealed that it had won a €560 million (£510 million) contract to supply helicopters to India. Westland will build 12 AW101s for the Indian Air Force, which will be used for transporting the country’s Prime Minister, President and other VIPs.

The UK motor industry has delivered a stark message to the Chancellor as the 2010 Budget was declared for Wednesday 24 March. Measures to encourage industry and boost consumer confidence will be required if the recovery is to be sustained and strengthened.

On Friday Business Secretary Lord Mandelson announced a €300 million (£270m) loan guarantee to GME Europe which will help secure the company’s operations in Britain and the rest of Europe. The outline agreement follows detailed and highly complex talks between the Government and GM.