The recently launched Honda Insight and third-generation Toyota Prius have stolen most of the green spotlight here in the U.S., but the European market is about to get a crack at an equally impressive high-mileage machine.

Raccoons must really like Volkswagen vehicles. I can only assume this is true because every time I test drive a VW, those little black-eyed bandits run out in front of me to get a better look of Wolfsburg’s latest and greatest.

The nation’s cash for clunkers program is still weeks away from officially kicking off but lawmakers on Capitol Hill are said to be mulling an extension for the scrappage program. Congress could revisit the incentive program as soon as this fall.

Following closely on the heels of its 50th birthday, MINI is once again celebrating a major milestone, this time the production of its 1.5 millionth vehicle since the brand re-launched in 2001. MINI’s 1.5 millionth vehicle was a Chili Red Clubman destined for the UK market.

Now that a federal court has divided up “good” and “bad” assets from General Motors, the so-called New GM says it plans to exit bankruptcy by the end of this week.

The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro may be Americana summed up on four-wheels, but the modern day muscle is reportedly headed for the European market. General Motors had been on the fence about sending the Camaro to Europe, but the popular pony car will spearhead the Chevrolet brand’s product expansion on the other side of the Atlantic.

Despite its pending sale to Swedish sports car manufacturer Koenigsegg, Saab quietly built its last 9-5 sedan last week and has apparently begun retooling its Trollhättan, Sweden, factory to build the venerable sedan’s upcoming, General Motors Epsilon II-based successor.

Adding to its automotive empire, Fiat announced on Monday that it has signed a partnership with China’s Guangzhou Automobile Industry Group. The 50-50 joint venture will see Guangzhou building Fiat vehicles and engines in China by 2011.

Though Toyota has already announced it plans to begin limited production and consumer testing of plug-in hybrid vehicles beginning in the next few months, a new report indicates that the Japanese automaker will enter full-scale series production of plug-in hybrids as early as 2012.

It’s been about six weeks, but our spy photographers once again caught Hyundai’s mid-size SUV, the Santa Fe, out for a Sunday drive. The Santa Fe is due for an update in 2010 and we have a great look at a prototype in the early stages of testing.

Denying a report from earlier this month, Toyota says it is not considering a tie-up with Germany’s Daimler. The refuted report – published July 1st – claimed Toyota was mulling building its own version of Mercedes’ A- and B-Class vehicles and that the two automakers were considering co-development of their flagship models.

As a successor to the 147, Alfa Romeo will release the brand-new 149 later this year. Though our spies have nabbed the 149 in camouflaged form, they can’t legally penetrate Alfa Romeo’s factories – but a Facebook user and Alfa Romeo enthusiast has, giving us what are believed to be genuine photographs of the undisguised 149 that could make its way to North America as the Milano.

Continuing its North American production shift, Toyota announced on Monday that it has approved a $467.2 million update for its Princeton, Indian production facility. The upgrade will see Toyota moving Highlander and Sequoia production to one line at the Indiana plant.

Chrysler’s new CEO, Sergio Marchionne, has said that he intends to conduct a thorough study of Chrysler’s portfolio that will likely result in not only the adjustment of prices and equipment, but also in the slicing of under-performing models – which could mean the end of the road for at least four of the automaker’s weak-selling offerings.

Peugeot has given its 207 CC hardtop convertible a refresh for the 2010 model year. Revised styling outside, as well as some minor interior equipment and design juggling, keeps the model fresh, although powertrain choices stand pat for the new year.

The sale of GM’s assets to a new corporate entity was approved Sunday night by a bankruptcy judge in New York, ahead of a July 10th deadline imposed by the U.S. Treasury. Judge Robert Gerber wrote in his ruling the sale will allow GM’s healthy assets to avoid “immediate and irreparable harm.”

Despite an agreement signed with Magna International, General Motors is apparently considering a bid by China’s Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corporation (BAIC) for the Detroit automaker’s Opel unit. A source said that BAIC will make a binding offer to GM within a few weeks, but analysts indicate that GM will only consider the offer if the Magna deal falls through.

While sales are generally suffering across the board south of the border, BMW managed to sell more than 3,000 vehicles in Canada for the first time ever last month. The German luxury automaker sold 3,003 BMWs in June, a 2 percent increase over the year prior.

Hyundai has been one of the most innovative car companies over the last year or so — from its Hyundai Assurance program to its latest $1.49 gas promo – and will continue that trend with its latest sales tactic. The government’s Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) – better known as ‘cash for clunkers’ – doesn’t actually take effect until July 23rd, but Hyundai has already begun accepting eligible clunker trade-ins.

Besting its strong U.S. performance, Ford’s Canadian division managed a healthy 23.8 percent boost in June sales. The June sales increase was enough to vault Ford past archrival General Motors to become Canada’s best-selling automaker.