Car News

Tesla's vehicles may be of the zero-emission variety, but, like all cars, their production can have an impact on the environment. Reuters reports some local residents who live near the site of the company’s planned German factory are protesting over concerns it will impact their water supply. Tesla announced last November it would build its first European car factory in Grünheide, in the eastern state of Brandenburg.

The updated 2020 Volkswagen Passat is now on sale in Australia, arriving this month in solitary 140TSI Business form – after delays kept it from reaching us sooner. That's a new variant name, and a new engine designation for the Passat, too. The familiar 132kW/250Nm 1.8-litre turbo petrol 132TSI has been replaced, as expected, by a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol unit offering 140kW (hence the name) and a big hop up to 320Nm.

Drivers in the US state of Vermont may soon join Queensland in legalising number plates featuring emojis. If passed, draft legislation currently before the Vermont House of Representatives could make Vermont the first American state to allow drivers to customise their plates with the digital smileys. The bill, introduced by Democrat Rebecca White, proposes allowing motorists to choose one of six emojis to add to their plates.

With a 375kW/600Nm Ferrari-developed V6, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio isn't exactly underpowered, but the Italian luxury marque is reportedly planning to add a whole stable of ponies to its performance halo car. Sources have told Mopar Insiders the company is planning to launch a limited edition model in late June to help celebrate the automaker's 110th birthday.

Kia, the only brand inside the Top 10 to post a sales gain in 2019 – the weakest market in eight years – believes there is still room to grow in 2020 for companies that have cars buyers want at prices they're prepared to pay. Kia believes the recently-released Seltos city-SUV (pictured below) will help deliver another record year for the brand, but promises to not be complacent when it comes to the competition or the rest of its model range.