The FINANCIAL -- General Motors Company announced that the automaker and its joint ventures in China on November 9 surpassed 1.5 million units in sales for 2009.

The FINANCIAL -- Whether as a Saloon, Coupé or Estate variant, the new Mercedes E-Class has the highest value retention of any luxury segment model series in Germany.

The FINANCIAL -- The BMW Group increased its global sales in October. A total of 115,252 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand automobiles were delivered to customers – a 2.0% increase over the same month last year (113,011).

The FINANCIAL -- According to RIA Novosti, Gazprom could fine European consumers for falling short of contracted purchase volumes by 8-9 billion cubic meters of gas, an executive at the Russian gas monopoly said on November 9.

The FINANCIAL -- According to RIA Novosti, struggling Russian auto giant AvtoVAZ has set up two affiliated companies to give jobs to 15,000 redundant workers, First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said on November 9.

The FINANCIAL -- The EBRD is extending a long-term loan of up to $300 million to help LUKOIL fund modernisation of its TGK-8 electricity generating subsidiary in southern Russia.

The FINANCIAL -- After undertaking a major review of its worldwide media planning and buying activities, Kia together with Hyundai, has appointed Havas Media to operate a consolidated program from the beginning of 2010 - after a six-way pitching process.

The FINANCIAL -- According to RIA Novosti, Russian energy giant Gazprom said on November 9 its net profit under International Financial Reporting Standards dwindled to 305.76 billion rubles ($10.5 bln) in January-June year-on-year.

The FINANCIAL -- Exxon Mobil Corporation2 (NYSE:XOM) affiliate Esso Exploration Angola (Block 15) Limited (Esso Angola) is celebrating 15 years of safe and successful operations in Angola3.