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After years of dragging their feet, European brands have embraced electric and hybrid vehicles with surprising zeal. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 5
   • An even more luxurious Bugatti may arrive
   • Alfa's return to U.S. waits on Chrysler's plans
   • Cygnet: Can Aston Martin turn the tiny Toyota iQ into a swan?
   • Audi's premium product plan
   • Bentley speeds up product development
   • BMW is planning a more fuel-efficient future
   • Ferrari boosts hp, lowers emissions
   • Fiat will return with the 500
   • Jaguar focuses on premium niche
   • Lambo may follow luxury-sedan trend
   • Land Rover to add compact Range Rover SUV
   • Maserati convertible will pack 440-hp V-8
   • Maybach's future is uncertain
   • Mercedes plans more hybrids, AMG models
   • Mini adds crossover to product plan
   • VW ownership could change Porsche's product lineup
   • A cheaper Rolls? Yep, this Ghost is for real
   • Saab has 4 models on tap for 2010
   • Smart may attempt another 4-seater
   • Plug-in hybrid, new S60 in the works for Volvo
   • VW brand plans a product blitz

Jaguar has repositioned itself as a niche maker of premium cars after being acquired last year by India's Tata Motors. The British luxury brand will no longer try to be a mass marketer, a mistake it made with the compact X-Type sedan. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 5
   • Europeans pile on the green bandwagon

Mercedes-Benz launched its hybrid technology this summer on the big S400 sedan, positioning the car as its entry-level S-class model. Daimler AG CEO Dieter Zetsche has promised a hybrid in each of its high-volume car ranges. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 5
   • Europeans pile on the green bandwagon

Maserati convertible will pack 440-hp V-8

Maserati plans to expand its U.S. product line. The Italian brand's first four-seat convertible goes on sale in March, and a small sedan could follow a couple of years later. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 5

Smart may attempt another 4-seater

The novelty of the two-seat city car may be wearing thin. U.S. sales are weak. But Daimler AG, which owns Smart, is looking at several ways to support the franchise with new product. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 5

Land Rover to add compact Range Rover SUV

Land Rover's products are a mix of Ford and BMW platforms that predate Land Rover's sale last year to India's Tata Motors Ltd. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 5

VW brand plans a product blitz

In the next three years, Volkswagen plans an array of all-new models and vehicle redesigns, part of a big plan to boost VW brand's U.S. sales from 223,128 last year to 800,000 by 2018. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 5

VW ownership could change Porsche's product lineup

Porsche executives say it is too early to know what changes Volkswagen ownership will bring to Porsche's product program. But one thing is certain: Porsche's first four-door model will go on sale this month. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 5

Bentley speeds up product development

Bentley has pulled ahead some vehicle launches by six months in response to the expected economic recovery next year. The second-generation Bentley Continental GT and the new Mulsanne sedan will debut in 2010 instead of 2011. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 5

Ferrari boosts hp, lowers emissions

As Ferrari plans models with improved performance, it also is focusing on lower emissions. The new 458 Italia features a 570-hp, 4.5-liter V-8 that boasts a 16 percent increase in horsepower over the previous 4.3-liter V-8. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 5

Cygnet: Can Aston Martin turn the tiny Toyota iQ into a swan?

The recession has made a big dent in Aston Martin's global growth ambitions. Whether this translates into a reduction in product-development plans for the British luxury brand remains to be seen. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 5

Mini adds crossover to product plan

Mini plans to add several models to its lineup. Here are the product plans for the BMW-owned small-car brand. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 5

Maybach's future is uncertain

The fate of Daimler's Maybach superluxury brand is in doubt. Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG, says no decision has been made on whether to build a second-generation Maybach sedan. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 5

Audi's premium product plan

The dollar's weakness against the euro is shaping Audi's U.S. product plans. For example, there are no plans to sell the A1 minicar or the A3 convertible here. Instead, Audi will stick with premium-priced vehicles. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 5

Saab has 4 models on tap for 2010

Saab expects to introduce four models in the next 16 months. The plans depend on Saab's purchase by a consortium led by Koenigsegg Automotive, a tiny Swedish carmaker. The deal is expected to be completed at the end of this month. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 5

Alfa's return to U.S. waits on Chrysler's plans

Alfa Romeo's plans for a full-fledged return to the United States remain up in the air. Alfa has distributed a handful of 8C Competizione coupes this year through certain Maserati dealers. But the Fiat S.p.A. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 5

Plug-in hybrid, new S60 in the works for Volvo

Volvo's product plans are uncertain. Many of its vehicles are aging and rely heavily on Ford technology. But last year Ford Motor Co. placed a "For Sale" sign on the Swedish brand. Still, there are glimmers of hope. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 5

BMW is planning a more fuel-efficient future

BMW has filled the pipeline with hybrids, electric vehicles and even four-cylinder engines in the coming decade. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 5

An even more luxurious Bugatti may arrive

When production ends for its limited-edition two-passenger Veyron, Bugatti may turn to an ultraluxurious four-door sedan called the 16 C Galibier. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 5

Lambo may follow luxury-sedan trend

Lamborghini executives are considering a leap into luxury sedans. After all, other prestige brands are trying it. The sporty Porsche Panamera sedan goes on sale soon, and the luxurious Aston Martin Rapide will reach dealer lots next year. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 5

A cheaper Rolls? Yep, this Ghost is for real

Rolls-Royce plans to launch a slightly smaller and less expensive car than its Phantom sedan. The 2010 Ghost carries a $245,000 sticker price, not including shipping and the gas-guzzler tax, which have not been determined. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 5

Fiat will return with the 500

The Fiat brand will return to the United States with three versions of the small, retro-styled Fiat 500. A hatchback, convertible and station wagon will be assembled by Chrysler Group beginning in early 2011, most likely in Toluca, Mexico. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 5

Mitsubishi expands Lancer line

Mitsubishi will import a five-door version of its Lancer sedan this summer. The five-door will be a 2010 model and will come in two variants: a 168-hp Sportback GTS and a high-performance, 237-hp Sportback Ralliart. 4:24 pm U.S. ET | Jan. 30