Further ramifications about the VW scandal were underlined this week when Ford said it believes it has the capability to massively ramp up petrol engine fitment in Europe if there is a big backlash against diesel in the wake of the VW dieselgate affair and potentially rising anti-diesel sentiment among consumers and regulators.

Carmakers and Silicon Valley upstarts are increasing their efforts to define the car of the future, even though many of them disagree about what that car should be.

Ford says its chief executive Alan Mulally will retire on July 1 and be replaced by chief operating officer Mark Fields.

General Motors will cut 30,000 jobs and close nine North American assembly, stamping and powertrain plants by 2008 as part of an effort to get production in line with demand and position the world’s biggest carmaker to start making money again after absorbing nearly €3.4bn in losses so far this year.

Union leaders tonight expressed optimism that the future of car giant Land Rover will be secured ahead of a crucial meeting aimed at drawing up a survival plan for the firm’s UK factory.