BMW AG

FRANKFURT/BUDAPEST: BMW will invest 1 billion euros (US$1.17 bln) to build a new plant in Hungary at a time when a rise in protectionism is forcing carmakers to curb inter-continental exports and to refocus production networks to serve regional trading blocs.

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. 

 Germany's BMW AG is talking with other automakers "around the world" to try to find partners to lower the cost of electrifying its future Mini small cars, management board member Peter Schwarzenbauer told Reuters.

U.S. authorities are investigating German auto supplier Robert Bosch GmbH over its role in Volkswagen AG's massive scheme to cheat U.S. emission standards, according to people familiar with the matter.