Wolfsburg

German auto giant Volkswagen said yesterday its first quarter operating profit increased significantly in 2022, while warning that the "first effects" of the war in Ukraine were beginning to be felt.

Automaker Volkswagen is accelerating its move into battery-powered cars, saying it will reach its goal of 1 million electric cars per year two years earlier than planned. Dec. 27's announcement came as European automakers are under pressure to meet lower emissions limits aimed at fighting global warming.

The controversy over Volkswagen AG's diesel-emissions cheating took another twist when the carmaker apologized for a test that exposed monkeys to engine fumes to study effects of the exhaust. 

 Volkswagen's  core autos division increased vehicle sales to a record 6.23 million cars last year, as rising demand for VW brand models in the Americas and the key Chinese market offset a decline in western Europe.

German carmakers faced a brewing scandal on July 24 as suspicions grew they colluded illegally for decades, further damaging the industry's image and exposing it to massive financial risks.

Beşiktaş will have another trip to London along with a double journey to the Balkans, while Trabzonspor is named in a relatively comfortable group as the Europa League group stage draws were made Aug. 29.