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Volkswagen Group sales down 15% in pandemic year, but EV sales up 214%

FRANKFURT, Germany — German automaker Volkswagen said its global sales fell 15.2% during 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but showed significant recovery toward the end of the year. The company more than tripled its sales of battery-only vehicles. Global sales for all of Volkswagen's brands amounted to 9.3 million vehicles. The fourth quarter showed a smaller decline of 5.7% and within that quarter the month of December was still further improved, showing a shortfall of only 3.2% from the same period the year before. Volkswagen said Wednesday that sales fell the most in Western Europe, by 21.6%, while China, the company's largest single market, was down 9.1% Sales of battery-only cars jumped 214% to 231,600 from 73,700 across all the company's brands. The company's electric sales leaders included the Volkswagen ID.3 compact, with 56,500, the Audi E-Tron SUV with 47,300, and the high-end Porsche Taycan with 20,000. Volkswagen said that its sales fell by less than the overall market, meaning it had slightly expanded its market share. “The COVID-19 pandemic made 2020 an extremely challenging year,” said group sales chief Christian Dahlheim. “The Volkswagen Group performed well in this environment and strengthened its market position." Volkswagen Group's brands include Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, SEAT, and Skoda as sell as truck makers MAN and Scania.

Lamborghini Urus production body revealed in spy shots

After years of concepts and teasers, we finally have a our first look at the production version of the upcoming Lamborghini Urus. While these spy shots don't feature much variety, they do give us a fairly decent look at the front and side of the new model. Although there appear to be a number of changes from the concepts, it's still undeniably a Lamborghini. The Urus appears to wear the new Lamborghini face, similar to that of the updated 2017 Lamborghini Aventador S. The shape is generally the same as the concept, but it's been tamed and pulled back slightly. The intakes in the bottom corners are far smaller than the concept, and the entire front appears far more blunt and upright. The headlights look about the same, but it's hard to tell for sure through all of the camouflage. Around the side we can see that the wheel arches, though smaller, are generally the same shape as the concept. The crease in the door is still present, but far less aggressive. The mirrors are totally different than the miniscule ones fitted to the concept. The bold, sloping BMW X6-esque roofline looks nearly identical, though the production car has been fitted with roof rails. Unfortunately, we don't have any pictures of the rear to tell how aggressive that roofline really is. Earlier this week, Lamborghini confirmed full production will start in April. That means we should see a final production version fairly soon. Look for a twin-turbocharged V8 and an a plug-in hybrid system in the final version. This may not be as tough as the old Rambo Lambo, the LM002, but it still doesn't look like anything else on the road. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery Lamborghini Urus spy shots Related Gallery Lamborghini Urus Concept: Monterey 2012 View 10 Photos Image Credit: CarPix Design/Style Spy Photos Lamborghini SUV

Harry Metcalfe shows off his Lamborghini Countach

Harry Metcalfe may no longer be editing the Evo magazine he founded, but that doesn't mean he doesn't still have octane pumping through his veins – or that he isn't still producing world-class automotive content. In this latest video released on his YouTube channel Harry's Garage, Metcalfe shows off is 1987 Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole. The precursor of today's Aventador, the Countach was Sant'Agata's longest-serving mid-engined twelve-cylinder supercar, remaining in production from 1974 (after the Miura was discontinued) until 1990 (when the Diablo replaced it), and earned its place of prominence on the walls of so many childhood bedrooms. Metcalfe's was a later model from 1987 – the London Motor Show car from that year, in fact – packing the enlarged 5.2-liter V12 with the four-valve heads, those fantastical air vents and that giant rear wing. Harry even had the legendary Valentino Balboni to sign the interior. The video is a full half-hour long, but even if you've only got a few minutes, it's worth watching just the beginning to hear it starting up.