Japan's Mazda Motor Group plans to raise €1.6 billion to shore up its finances and invest in a new plant in Mexico, financial sources said today - a bigger-than-expected fund raising that sent its shares tumbling 13 per cent.

Japanese company Omron Automotive, producer of automotive electrical components, opened its plant in Silao, Guanajuato, which invested $ 30 million and, according to expectations, the firm will generate 400 direct jobs in two years.

Frankfurt, Germany. - Volkswagen AG expects to decide by summer the location of the new Audi plant in North America and locations in Mexico and the U.S. are being targeted, said Michael Macht, head of German manufacturer .