Nissan is giving its blessing to the $35 billion (£27.7 billion) merger of Renault with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, according to the Nikkei newspaper.
The plan raises difficult questions about how Nissan would fit into a radically changed alliance with Renault, its current partner Mitsubishi, and the FCA group and comes after FCA and PSA failed to progress talks on collaboration earlier this year.
German prosecutors are questioning chief executive of Volkswagen’s Porsche business, Oliver Blume, reports German media.
They are investigating a possible breach of fiduciary trust and alleged payments to a Porsche works council member.
US and European trade talks are stalling.
An agreement seemed likely a few months ago but now positions are stagnating and no settlement looks in sight, causing UK and EU car-makers to consider the consequences for their car plants.
About £1.1 m is being given by the Advanced Propulsion Centre to 15 UK new technology developers to build on their progress so far.
They are working in fields of low carbon technology for batteries, fuel cells and printed electronics.