Volkswagen Group’s ongoing diesel scandal has not discouraged Audi from hitting its long-term sales goal.

The company wants to sell two million units globally by the end of the decade. Its 2014 numbers reached 1.74 million, up 11 percent from the previous year, while 2015 sales have already hit 1.5 million units in the first 10 months of the year.

“We have to look at the global economic scenario, such as what is happening to the interest rates in the U.S. or the ‘new normal’ in China’s growth pace,” Audi chief Rupert Stadler told Automotive News Europe. “Right now, we are quite positive, so the 2020 target remains.”

The diesel fiasco expanded in early November to include the 3.0-liter TDI engine used for certain Audi models including the A7, A6 Quattro, A8, A8L and Q5. Despite the sales halt for offending models, the company posted a 0.4 percent sales gain in the US market for the month — the brand’s 59th straight month of record US sales.

The V6 TDI engines take advantage of a urea-injection (AdBlue) system to minimize nitrogen oxide emissions, unlike most of the VW-badged cars powered by four-cylinder EA189 diesel engines. A simple software fix is consequently expected to bring Audi’s lineup back into compliance with US environmental regulations, likely allowing the company to quickly resume sales and minimizing negative impact on long-term growth.

Audi was already on track to hit its 2020 goal ahead of schedule. Following the double-digit gains in 2014, the company’s growth rate could be halved to five percent and still hit two million global units in 2017.

General Motors is may be considering a production version of the Malibu Red Line concept that debuted last month at SEMA.

The show car featured a silver body paint and a slew of contrasting accents including a black bowtie kit, dark grille, black roof and gloss black nameplate. The theme continues with tinted windows and smoked lenses for the headlights and taillights.

Consistent with the other Red Line models, the customized Malibu features modest red accents on the foglight surrounds and red stripes on its unique 19-inch wheels.

“Chevy is taking a look at creating a Red Line series that goes across different models,” Malibu chief engineer Jesse Ortega told Edmunds.

The Red lineup also included the Camaro, Silverado, Spark and Trax, however the Malibu is said to have been particularly well received by SEMA attendees. A production version would presumably offer many of the same visual enhancements as the concept, though its lowered suspension is not expected to be offered as a factory option.

The company has not yet confirmed a final green light for the Malibu Red Line.

Beijing has issued a ‘Red Alert’ and placed limits on car use as smog continues to shroud the city.

Levels of dangerous airborne pollutants known as PM2.5 have approached nearly 40 times the limit considered safe by the World Health Organization, according to a New York Times report. PM2.5 refers to particles smaller than 2.5 microns that can travel deep into the lungs.

To help mitigate the problem, the city’s first-ever Red Alert requires residents to drive on alternate days based on odd/even license plate numbers. Schools will be closed, while certain factories will be forced to temporarily halt operations.

The current measurements are said to be the worst of the year, though far below the city’s worst on record. The WHO cites a PM2.5 safety threshold of 25 micrograms per cubic meter. Beijing’s current measurements are expected to exceed 200 micrograms per cubic meter for more than three consecutive days. The Liaoning Province city of Shenyang recently surpassed 1,400 micrograms per cubic meter, according to a BBC report.

China has spent billions to curb smog, however the country’s reliance on coal for energy production has been blamed for the persistent problems.

A fresh round of spy shots taken in Dearborn indicate that Ford could be getting serious about plans to sell its pint-sized EcoSport SUV in the United States.

The sub-compact utility vehicle market is booming right now, with vehicles like the Kia Soul, Jeep Renegade, Honda HR-V and Nissan CX-3 seeing strong consumer demand. However, Ford is missing out on the action because it doesn’t currently have a utility offering smaller than the Escape.

But that could soon change thanks to the EcoSport. On sale in other global markets for the last few years, Ford engineers were spotted testing an updated version of the SUV in Ford’s own backyard.

The prototype seen here is an updated version of the EcoSport currently sold in other parts of the world. Although still covered in some camo, it looks as though the new EcoSport will adopt some of the styling cues laid out by the larger Escape and Edge. In a nod to its rugged nature, the updated EcoSport retains its exterior-mounted spare tire.

Although it’s possible that we could eventually see this EcoSport on our shores, it’s more likely that Ford will hold off on U.S. sales until an all-new version of the SUV lands in 2018 or 2019. Like the current model, Ford’s all-new EcoSport will share its underpinnings with the sub-compact Fiesta.

It’s unlikely that the EcoSport name will carryover to the U.S. market given Ford’s EcoBoost branding strategy for its turbocharged engines. What Ford might call the EcoSport, however, remains a mystery.

It’s also unclear where the U.S.-spec EcoSport will be built. Asia is currently the main production hub for the EcoSport, but it’s possible U.S. vehicles could come from a North American production facility.

A rumor has emerged from Europe which points to the development of a smaller, cheaper, less powerful Honda S2000 engineered to take on the likes of the Mazda MX-5 and Fiat 124 Spyder.

Autocar claims that company insiders have revealed a development program for the long-anticipated roadster replacement. Those sources claim that engineers have even attended S2000 owners’ club events in the UK, seeking feedback from owners on a potential successor.

If the UK publication’s information is accurate, Honda is considering a four-cylinder unit producing between 150 and 180 horsepower, with the potential of a “hotter” trim utilizing the Civic Type R’s high-output engine down the road.

The most significant obstacle seems to be the lack of a suitable existing platform on which to build a new roadster entry, and without any volume cars with which the development costs could be shared, there’s a dearth of incentive in that regard.

Rumors of new Honda sports car programs have surfaced time and again since the S2000′s demise, the most recent pointing to Honda’s U.S. arm bringing over the new S660 convertible and retooling it for the American market as a “S1000.”

Currently available only in Japan and designed to fit the local kei-car segment, the diminutive roadster is powered by a 660cc three-cylinder turbocharged engine with 63 horsepower and 77 lb-ft of torque.

Honda’s US executive VP, John Mendel, told Edmunds in a recent interview that the company wants “…some spice in the lineup.”

Nissan has been charged with violating labor laws at its Canton, Mississippi factory.

The company has not been accused of safety non-compliance or denying breaks, but rather violation of workers’ rights to wear pro- or anti-union clothing at the facility, according to a Detroit News report.

A worker uniform policy implemented last year allegedly required most workers to wear company-issued pants and shirts, effectively barring workers from wearing shirts bearing union-related material.

The company argues that the program was not compulsory and merely aimed to reduce ‘vehicle mutilation’ during the assembly process, though a VW internal document submitted to the National Labor Relations Board noted that employees could wear their own undershirts but only if the garments did not have any writing on them.

“Employees have been able, and will continue to be able, to wear the clothing of their choice as long as it complies with the Nissan manufacturing dress code,” Nissan said in a statement.

The program is said to have been implemented in Canton, Mississippi, and factories in Smyrna and Dechard, Tennessee.

It is unclear if the timing coincided with the United Auto Workers push to organize Volkswagen’s plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The VW campaign has been viewed as the first potential step in a wider unionization push across the American South, where many foreign automakers have set up shop.

The UAW recently scored a partial victory last week in Chattanooga, establishing Local 42 for VW’s maintenance workers. VW has challenged the vote, arguing in favor of a common organization for all plant workers. Nissan and other automakers operating in the region have not been as welcoming as VW, however.

Volkswagen has reportedly preparing to sell one or more brands if it encounters trouble paying off a 20 billion euro (~$21.7 billion USD) loan related to the diesel emissions scandal.

The company last week sought the funding from more than a dozen banks, providing more cash to pay for expected recalls, criminal penalties and lawsuit payouts in the US market and abroad.

Reflecting the uncertainty surrounding the ultimate financial tally, VW promised to sell as many assets as needed to pay back the one-year loan if it fails to refinance the debt by issuing bonds or securing other funding, unnamed sources told Reuters.

Industrial portions of the group’s MAN subsidiary are said to be at the top of the list, with an estimated value of up to five billion euros (~$5.4 billion USD) for the power engineering unit.

The insiders also mentioned Bentley, Lamborghini and Ducati as other potential brands to put up for sale, though the luxury car divisions “don’t really move the needle.”

A VW official has denied the allegations, claiming that “no specific assets have been discussed. A separate contact claimed the company is considering an emergency rights issue, allowing funds to be received from stock sales.

Analysts have disagreed over the costs that VW ultimately faces for cheating emissions regulations. Several pessimistic estimates warn of a final cost of up to 35 billion euros ($38 billion USD), while Credit Suisse has predicted a 78 billion euro (~$87 billion USD) doomsday scenario for the German automaker.

Fifty-one years and over 10-million units sold, Chevy’s bread and butter Malibu is like the McDonald’s hamburger. Satisfying, to a point, it is nothing, if not consistent. But it wasn’t always this way. With the introduction of the latest version, has the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu gone gourmet? Leftlane goes taste testing to find out.

Global reach
The Chevrolet Malibu is sold in over 25 markets worldwide, with the bulk of sales coming from the U.S., China and Korea. This ninth-generation sedan features a new look that borrows the best designs from Asia, Europe and America. And it has gone on a diet, too, to the tune of about 300-pounds.

That weight loss allows the Malibu to utilize three different powertrains including one led by a 1.5-liter turbocharged Ecotec four-cylinder engine. That all-new engine produces 160 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, and is mated to a GM six-speed automatic transmission. While the 1.5-liter, with its ECO start/stop mode, is the base flavor, it is joined by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder Ecotec mill that is similar to the engine found in the Cadillac ATS and other cars in the General’s portfolio. In this case, it is good for 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and in a front-wheel-drive first, uses an eight-speed automatic transmission. In either case, EPA mileage estimates log in at 27 city/37 highway, and 22 city/32 highway respectively.

Finally, a dual-mode hybrid drivetrain is available that utilizes much of the technology and experience gained from the Chevrolet Volt and the Silverado Dual-Mode Hybrid trucks. Powered by a 1.8-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder gas engine, it joins the electric motor for acceleration and EV operation, while the gas engine is used as an overdrive for highway driving and power generation. We had a brief drive time in the hybrid and found it almost like the un-hybrid: Except for the badging, you would be hard pressed to find many dissimilarities from the standard drivetrain models. Although the EPA reports are not finished yet, preliminary General Motors estimates tag the Malibu Hybrid at 48 city/45 highway and 47 mpg combined.

Regardless of whether they are gas or hybrid powered, the competition remains the same, and includes such stalwarts as the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry.

Styling on the boulevard
GM officials stated how they didn’t want to be too clever or creative in designing this new version. Instead it was decided to go modern but not overdone. Longer, lower and wider, the 2016 Malibu features new styling along the slenderized front clip. Cleanly scalloped side panels add interest and visual strength that sweeps into an integrated decklid spoiler and stylized rear end that seemingly pays homage to the Audi A7.

Now offered in base L, LS, LT, Hybrid, and Premier, the Malibu features a trim level for nearly every taste and pocket book ranging from a low-end, but well equipped L-version that starts at $22,500 to the high end Premier with its $31,795 price of entry.

Between the wheels, Chevrolet engineers have managed to stretch the platform, which the Malibu shares with the new Buick Lacrosse, for a total of four inches. While that’s admittedly a small number, in terms of cabin space, that amount yields 1.3-inches of additional legroom and more comfort than found in previous versions. The overall length, from tip to tail, also grows by 2.3-inches, but still slots in below its Impala big brother.

Also inside is the new low and away dashboard design that imparts a feeling of spaciousness inside the cabin.

From a styling standpoint, if we had our druthers, we wished Chevrolet followed the lead of Hyundai’s luxury Genesis division, which offers buyers a choice of the brand’s corporate H logo, or as an option, a Bentley-esque winged affair. In this case we would love to see a car this attractive with something other than the large Chevrolet bowtie. GM held customer clinics with an un-badged Malibu, where viewers were very pleasantly surprised to find it was a Chevy and not some other brand. It would be sad to think Chevrolet is losing sales due to the peccadilloes of some longtime loyalists. Give the buyer a choice, we say! Regardless, we think the 2016 Malibu is one of the General’s best looking efforts to date.

Tech inside
In addition to the high-mileage efforts brought on by the three powerplants, the Malibu is very tech-savvy as well. In fact, it’s the reason Chevrolet flew us to Palo Alto, California, home of Google, Apple, HP and Facebook to experience the ‘Bu on the home turf of these tech giants.

Among notable offerings in this new sedan is the latest version of the Chevrolet MyLink system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. While the Android app is on the way, Apple CarPlay has already made its bones, with quick connections minus the pairing process found with standard Bluetooth systems.

Plugging in your iPhone 5 through 6s and the Malibu’s eight-inch screen mimics the appearance of your iPhone or iPad. An added bonus: In cars not equipped with navigation, plugging the phone will instantly convert the display into a fully functional nav system (via the phone’s GPS system) that was every bit as effective as a Garmin or other factory offering. Additionally, the Malibu is the only mid-size sedan that can take advantage of the available OnStar 4G LTE system for high speed Wi-Fi connectivity.

Also new in this Malibu is Chevrolet’s Teen Driver System that allows parents to program in a recommended high speed that they don’t want their young drivers to exceed. Other features like Geo-fencing alert parents when a car leaves a prescribed area and serves to encourage safe driving habits. Parents can also follow up by checking the “Report Card” that, for a subscription fee, will display recent infractions. In this case, big brother may actually be your parent, too.

Forward Collision alerts, Forward collision avoidance braking, Low Speed Front Automatic Braking, Front and Rear park assist, Front Pedestrian Braking, and Lane Change Alert with side blind zone alert, Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Alert with following distance indicator are a select group of safeties that are part of the Malibu’s Driver Confidence Package ($1,195). Those wanting to go further can opt for the Driver Confidence II system ($1,295) and its Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Parking Assist and Front Automatic Braking.

Drive time
The Chevrolet Malibu cut a fine swath during our drives in and around Silicon Valley. Power from the 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder Ecotec engine was more than enough for most non-enthusiast drivers while those seeking more oomph will likely choose the 2.0-liter turbo four. The 1.5′s six-speed automatic was perfectly at home for most situations including windy roads leading to Alice’s Restaurant in Woodside, California.

Switching over to the 2.0-liter version with its eight-speed automatic displayed a quick shifting gearbox that didn’t hunt unnecessarily on quickly ascending roadways. With either engine choice, the ride was exceptionally quiet except on all but the worst roads. At that point, the Continental all-season radials let us know of their displeasure while encountering the patched up backroads that we traversed.

Handling was extremely well-modulated from the lengthened wheelbase and the pair of MacPherson struts in front and the multilink kit in the rear. The speed-sensitive power-assisted rack and pinion steering was light enough to handle all the slow speed maneuvering that we encountered, and firmed up nicely, as we like it, when at highway cruising speeds.

Leftlane’s bottom line
Taking nothing for granted, Chevrolet extends the wheelbase and fuel economy of its 2016 Malibu. With those and other improvements in quality and features, they have also extended the life of their venerable fifty-plus year old Malibu sedan.

2016 Chevrolet Malibu
Malibu L base price, $22,500.
Malibu LS base price, $23,995.
Malibu 1.5 LT base price, $25,895.
Malibu 2.0 LT base price, $29,495.
Malibu 2.0 Premier base price, $31,795.

Photos by Mark Elias.

General Motors has reportedly confirmed plans to import the Buick Envision from China to the US market.

The company had been expected to begin shipping the crossovers to the US early next year, however dealers are said to have been notified to prepare for a summer launch.

China buyers are particularly fond of the Buick marque, purchasing more than 127,000 Envisions since the model arrived on the market last fall. In the US market, not a single Buick nameplate reached even half that number for 2014. The Enclave was the best seller, with just 62,300 units.

“We have production already going (in China) and adding a second manufacturing facility for the volumes that we would expect in the U.S. just wasn’t feasible,” said Buick spokesman Stuart Fowle in a statement published by The Detroit News. “We wanted to take advantage of the manufacturing already in place.”

United Auto Workers leaders quickly criticized the move, which was announced just weeks after the union renegotiated and voted on renewed contracts with Detroit’s Big Three.

“Today’s announcement by General Motors that they are importing the Envision from China is a slap in the face to U.S. taxpayers and the men and women who worked so hard to save GM during its darkest time,” said UAW president Dennis Williams and the union’s GM head, Cindy Estrada.

The launch is likely shrouded in uncertainty, as no other US automaker has yet to import a vehicle to their home market from a factory in China. Volvo is also testing the waters with the China-built S60 sedan. Most automakers will undoubtedly be watching to see if US buyers shrug off the made-in-China stigma.