Car giant Toyota will hit back tomorrow at suggestions that its electronics systems caused the sudden acceleration problems that led to the recall of more than eight million vehicles

Discount supermarket Lidl began selling cars in its native Germany today.

Advocates for US car makers are warning that the collapse of the Big Three manufacturers – or even just General Motors – could set off a catastrophic chain reaction in the economy, eliminating up to three million jobs and depriving governments of more than €113bn in tax revenue.

The United Auto Workers union and Chrysler remained locked in negotiations this morning as workers in Detroit prepared for the picket lines.

California’s attorney general is suing the six largest US and Japanese carmakers, including General Motors, Ford and Toyota, for damages related to greenhouse gas emissions.