(April 30, 2012) Nissan in Norway has sold 1000 Nissan Leafs in just six months, taking almost 2 percent of the total car market in February demonstrating the impact of comprehensive incentives and developed charging infrastructure.

The government support and charging infrastructure have helped the Nissan Leaf become the second best selling Nissan in Norway and the ninth best selling passenger car overall in February. Norway has the highest level of support in Europe for electric vehicle purchases with zero VAT, no new car tax, free parking, exemption from some tolls and the use of bus lanes in Oslo.

(April 29, 2012) DETROIT — The planned U.S. introduction of a 2.0-liter clean turbo diesel version of the Chevrolet Cruze next year is expected to benefit from growing interest in diesel cars, sales of which could double by mid-decade, according to market research firm Baum and Associates.

Diesel car sales, which account for 3 percent of U.S. sales today, are trending up, having jumped 35 percent in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. Diesel car sales grew more than 27 percent last year, according to the Diesel Technology Forum. Baum and Associates predicts diesel to account for 6 percent of car sales by 2015.

(April 28, 2012) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The 2013 Dodge Dart seeks to redefine the compact sedan segment with Alfa Romeo DNA, fuel-efficient powertrains and Dodge’s passion for performance. The all-new Dodge Dart is a thoroughly modern vehicle that’s fuel-efficient, beautifully designed and crafted, agile and fun-to-drive.

(April 27, 2012) Ford's pre-tax profits in the U.S. increased in the first quarter to $2.1 billion from $1.8 billion last year. But trouble in Europe and Asia has left Ford with an overall operating profit of just $2.3 billion, down $544 million from the first quarter in 2011. Ford has posted a pre-tax operating profit for 11 consecutive quarters.