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Crunch watch August 09: the auto industry

By Tim Pollard, Alex Michaelides, Ben Pulman and Freddie Fulton Motor Industry 31 August 2009 10:00 Welcome to CAR's news aggregator as we round up the seismic change in the auto industry. Top tip: news summaries are added from the top hour-by-hour  Monday 31 August 2009• Bank holiday today in UK; staff on a well earned break from Crunchwatch!Friday 28 August 2009• Toyota will stop producing vehicles at the New United Moor Manufacturing plant in California next March. Company officials and California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced the decision, which comes in the wake of factory partner GM’s announced that it would abandon the venture back in June (Detroit News)• Tengzhong may finalise its deal to buy Hummer from GM next week, well placed sources told AN (Automotive News, subscription required)• German economics minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg says it is 'hardly realistic' for GM to keep hold of its European outfit Opel and Vauxhall (Automotive News Europe, subscription required)• Ford's US cop car favourite, the Crown Victoria, is going to cease production in 2011 (Detroit News)Thursday 27 August 2009• Nissan and Chrysler have abandoned plans to build cars for each other in the wake of Chrysler’s alliance with Fiat.

Aston Martin to bring back Lagonda

ASTON MARTIN is bringing back the Lagonda name, with the super saloon being offered for sale by invitation only. To be built at the company's plant at Gaydon in Warwickshire, the new car will be inspired by the Lagonda of 1976. Aston Martin is currently giving no indication of what the new Lagonda will cost other than saying that the price will be "commensurate with the car's exclusivity, quality and luxurious nature".

Saab announces new China joint-venture

Following on from last week's collapsed Hawtai Motor Group deal, Saab owners Spyker Cars have announced a fresh collaboration agreement today with Pang Da Automobile Trade Co, a Chinese vehicle distributor. Saab and Panda Automobile Company? Sounds Mickey Mouse to me!