While established OEMs are pressing ahead with EV rollouts, startups are burning out and valuable technology is being lost, critics charge.

The climate and wind-tunnel system simulates rain and snow and has controllable, full-spectrum sunshine simulation ranging from mild to desert conditions.

By taking advantage of higher output and common systems and components, Mercedes intends to offer a product costing slightly more than its competitors, but not 20%-30% bigger as was the case with the discontinued Vaneo.

Ray Bierzynski, GM China’s executive director-electrification strategy, says the new tie-up will provide the auto maker with access to China’s top opinion leaders and policymakers.

Two biotech companies will test their renewable diesel fuels on Passat and Jetta TDI cars. Turbodiesels accounted for 21.6% of VW’s U.S. sales in 2011, and the momentum has carried into 2012.