The CarWale Daily Fuel is your quick daily dose of automotive news from India and around the world. If you want to know whatever's in the news but want it short and sweet, here's your solution.

• Hyundai has announced the '5-star Assurance Program' for the Santro and i10, providing free maintenance, low insurance costs, extendable warranty, loyalty benefits and road-side assistance. The program is aimed at consolidating the customer base in the small hatch segment owing to the ever increasing competition.

• Tata declares successful completion of the first phase of developing, producing and selling cars based on the compressed air engine technology with its Luxemburg based partner, MDI technology. The proof of technology concept has been successfully demonstrated in two Tata Motors' vehicles.

• Suzuki Motor Corp. has recalled around 109,000 Swift cars globally citing a possible fuel leakage problem. The recall will not affect the Indian bestseller as the cars sold in India are locally produced.

• Mahindra and Mahindra have launched the Alfa Plus, the extended bed version of its popular commercial 3-wheeler Alfa, with better torque and transmission to supplement the enhanced load carrying capacity.

• Toyota dealers in Bangalore are showcasing the Etios motor racing (EMR) concept cars to connect to the adrenalin pumping young customer. It is also aimed at popularizing the EMR, a motorsports activity, in India.

• Volkswagen India has said that it aims sales of 1 million cars annually in India by 2018, to contribute to the global aim of Volkswagen group to sell 10 million cars annually over the globe. Volkswagen owners in India can relax as this means lots of schemes and after sales support.

• Daimler Trucks, global leaders in the commercial vehicle segment, are investing about Rs. 4400 crore in India as BharatBenz. The investments are based on an ambitious growth plan involving competitive products and commitment. With the state of art facility for production near Chennai, BharatBenz is also investing heavily in sales and services.

• India bound Mercedes B-class was spotted testing on roads in Pune, Maharashtra without any camouflage or cladding. Indian customers will not have to wait much longer for the budget(?) sports tourer.

• The 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 was seen at the Nurburgring, the proving ground for performance car manufacturers over the globe. The 662PS power horse would certainly be eager to get a one up over its nemesis the Chevrolet Camarro ZL1 that clocked some seriously fast times at the 'Ring.

• Ford cries foul over Japan's intentions of joining the Trans Pacific Partnership for free trade among the Asia-Pacific countries. They say that the already protected Japanese market should be restructured before any such incident. Given the 'zero per cent' import taxes on cars in Japan, we wonder where Ford is driving at.

• The in-house project of an Australian, Mr. Russle Sutton of building a 9 cylinder rotary engine based on he Honda XR600 finally bore fruit after four long years of dedicated effort and skills. The joy of finally firing the 9 cylinder rotary engine was short-lived as the engine stalled due to mechanical reasons. Mr. Sutton has decided to keep on working till he manages to d\run it successfully.

• Volkswagen has replied strongly to the Greenpeace declaration of them as the 'Dirtiest car-makers in Europe'. Volkswagen has announced that, by 2015, volkswagens will emit less than 120 gms of carbon per kilometer while burning a measly 5.3 litres of fuel for every 100 kilometers run.

  The CarWale Daily Fuel is your quick daily dose of automotive news from India and around the world. If you want to know whatever's in the news but want it short and sweet, here's your solution. 

The Fabia Scout has been launched by Skoda in the Indian market, adding to the existing Fabia line-up. The top-spec Fabia sports projector headlamps, new front and rear bumpers, spoiler, protective cladding and stainless steel pedal set to give it a sporty touch.

 The Fabia will run on the same 1.2 litre 75PS petrol and diesel engines mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The Scout visually differentiates itself from the other siblings but does not have any special off-roading or other capabilities as its international counterpart. The Scout was expected with revised suspension, off-road capabilities and the 1.6 litre 106PS petrol engine.

 The price tag of 6.79 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the petrol variant seems a bit high for the package on offer. Nonetheless, the Fabia will ensure good economy and build quality along with the dual airbags, integrated-audio system and tinted windows as standard fitment.

The CarWale Daily Fuel is your quick daily dose of automotive news from India and around the world. If you want to know whatever's in the news but want it short and sweet, here's your solution.

Skoda has launched a new entry-level variant of the Superb called the Ambition. It is being offered at a starting price of Rs 18 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi. Both petrol and diesel versions are available, but the features list are worthy of any premium sedan. 

Nissan has launched the third edition of the Nissan Student Brand Manager program, which gives management students a budget and the opportunity to conceptualise and implement their ideas to market and make visible the Nissan brand.

Maruti Suzuki has announced that it will hire 500 workers for the second unit at its Manesar facility is going live. Wage negotiations with its workers at the Gurgaon facility will begin in the next few weeks. 

The state of Tamil Nadu has passed a bill to increase tax on vehicles entering the state - not good news for state tourism. 

If you own a 2011 or 2012 model BMW or Rolls Royce with a V8 or V12 turbocharged engine, you might need to pay a visit to your service centre. Models with certain engines are at risk of the circuit board on the water pump overheating and catching fire. Here are the relevant models: 2011 5 series and 5 series GT, and 2012 models of the 6 series, 7 series, X5, X6 and the Rolls Royce Ghost.

Ford has let out one of the most closely-guarded secrets of electric car production: the actual cost of batteries for an all-electric car. Turns out they cost well over half the cost of the car's retail price... Bet you Prius and Civic hybrid owners are wincing as you read this.

Porsche has decided to follow Hyundai's example and stop selling cars in Iran. This is in an effort to dissuade Iran's nuclear programme. 

Porsche may just plan a performance version of the upcoming Macan, its small SUV, with a new 370PS 3.0-litre petrol engine. Will this be the sportscar of the future? 

Small performance SUVs seem to be raining down on us - Audi has announced a Q3 RS ahead of a Beijing debut, with, surprise surprise, 360PS but from the lovely 5-cylinder engine currently doing duty in the TT RS. 

The full-size SUVs aren't too far behind - the G63 AMG has been announced, with mild updates to the interior and exterior. Also more power and torque. What remains unchanged is the ability of the G63, quite like the superhero of SUVs, and the voice of God emanating from those side-exit tailpipes. 

The F1 race in New Jersey, USA, may be  postponed until 2014 due to delays, once again. In the meanwhile, the French Grand Prix will make a comeback, but at the more modern Paul Ricard circuit. It will alternate every year with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa. 

Skoda is launching a limited-edition version of its critically acclaimed Yeti compact SUV for the European market - the Yeti Urban. The Yeti Urban is the first model to be sold in the UK with DAB digital radio as standard. Higher spec models of the Yeti Urban includes Amundsen+ satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and a multi-function steering wheel to control the audio system and telephone.

Additional design features include stunning 17-inch black-and-chrome 'Matterhorn' alloys, wheel arch extensions, chrome side strips, silver door mirror caps, silver roof rails and stylish eye-catching roof stripes. Inside, customers have the choice of red or black sports seats and sunset glass in the rear.

Skoda aims to service at least 28,000 cars during this month long check-up camp. Skoda had previously organized monsoon car care camps, pollution check-up camps and festival camps to enhance the ŠKODA driving experience.

Everyday operating data will be especially important for fine-tuning the electric cars. These are to be delivered to selected partners in late March 2012 as a next step. The ten Octavia Green E Lines making up the test fleet are to provide Skoda with important customer-relevant insight regarding future development of electric traction all the way to series production readiness. This might involve solutions for usage or designing new functions, positioning the charging socket or the issue of how electric cars, being quiet by design, might make themselves heard in traffic.

The MQB extends from the A0 to the B segment. At the Volkswagen brand, for example, it covers the following models: Polo, Beetle, Golf, Scirocco, Jetta, Tiguan, Touran, Sharan, Passat and Volkswagen CC. In the future, all of these models could theoretically be produced on the same assembly line – despite their different wheelbases and track widths. It will be possible to produce MQB models of different brands together. The first new vehicles to be produced based on the MQB will be the successor to the Audi A3 and the next generation Golf.

The MQB allows to produce high-volume and niche models at competitive costs over the long term and worldwide – vehicles that are individually tailored to the requirements of very diverse markets such as Europe, China and America, as well as emerging markets such as India. In parallel, the Volkswagen Group will significantly reduce vehicle weights with the launch of the first MQB model series and will introduce 20 innovations in the areas of safety and infotainment, which until now were reserved for higher vehicle segments.