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FRANKFURT, Germany — Automaker Volkswagen says it will invest $50 billion (44 billion euros) in developing autonomous and electric cars and expand the appeal of battery-powered cars by selling its upcoming ID compact for about what a diesel-powered Golf costs.

BRUSSELS — European Union regulators have opened an in-depth investigation into whether automakers BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen colluded to limit the development and rollout of car emission control systems.

Volkswagen AG’s board is working toward a decision to list its heavy-truck division, a move that would generate fresh funds for its bid to challenge global leaders Daimler AG and Volvo AB, according to people familiar with the matter.

Volkswagen apparently wants to be more than just friends with Aurora Innovation, a self-driving car company testing autonomous vehicles in Pittsburgh.

FRANKFURT, Germany — Volkswagen said its earnings rose in the second quarter on record sales and fatter profit margins but warned that “growing protectionism” is a threat to the globally connected car industry.

Volkswagen AG’s fledgling Moia mobility unit is betting on the rise of self-driving cars to deliver on its plan to catch up with ride-hailing leaders such as Uber Technologies Inc. without burning through piles of cash.

Volkswagen Truck & Bus announced it will rename itself Traton Group to further increase its independence from parent company Volkswagen AG and toward “capital market readiness” in preparation for a potential IPO by the unit.

Volkswagen AG is considering forming an alliance with Ford Motor Co. to share costs for development and production of vans and pickup trucks, according to people familiar with the matter.

Volkswagen AG will pay a $1.2 billion fine ($1 billion euro) imposed by German prosecutors for cheating to get around diesel-emissions regulations, closing one chapter in a three-year-old crisis even as new developments arise.