VW Group is investing $2.6bn in capital and assets into Argo AI, the Pittsburgh-based autonomous vehicle start-up that burst onto the scene two years ago with $1bn in backing from Ford, news wires reported. Separately, the companies announced plans to expand their global alliance to include electric vehicles. The alliance covers collaborations outside of Volkswagen and Ford’s joint investments in Argo AI, according to the announcement.

Google has rejected demands it pay hundreds of millions of dollars per year in compensation to Australian news media under a government-imposed revenue sharing deal. The company's top executive in Australia said Google made barely Aus$10 million (US$6.7 million) per year from news-linked advertising, a fraction of a government watchdog's estimates for the sector.

Four US senators, including a China hawk, urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Friday to investigate allegations that Chinese-owned popular video app TikTok violated a consent decree protecting children’s privacy.

Volkswagen AG plans to boost its electric push in China, the world’s biggest auto market, by pumping €2.1bn in two Chinese electric vehicle players. The deals come as global rivals such as General Motors, Toyota and Tesla Inc seek to expand electric sales in the Chinese car market.

As part of a €2bn cost-cutting plan, Renault is cutting 15,000 jobs due to sales plunge because of the virus pandemic, news wires reported. The plan was announced by CEO Clotilde Delbos, who said cuts are needed in order to focus production on more profitable car models. On Thursday, Renault's strategic partner Nissan also unveiled huge job cuts.

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd is emerging as one of China’s biggest corporate winners of the coronavirus crisis, gaining the opportunity to expand its businesses and solidify its status as a critical part of the country’s socio-economic engine.

Amazon shareholders Wednesday turned back a series of proposals put forth by critics at the company's annual meeting aimed at creating new social responsibility goals for the tech giant.

As part of its global survival strategy Nissan Motor may be looking at the possibility of closing its Barcelona plant, although no final decision has been made, Reuters reported. According to Nikkei newspaper, Nissan is planning to reduce its global capacity by 20% and close its plant in Barcelona, shifting its production to Renault factories.

British low cost airline EasyJet is planning to cut up to 30% of its staff, or about 4,500 jobs, and shrink its fleet, to fit the smaller market it expects to emerge from the collapse in air travel due to Covid-19, news wires reported. The airline, which employs over 15,000 people in eight countries across Europe, said it would launch a consultation process with its staff in the coming days.

Boeing has resumed production of the 737 MAX at a "low" rate following two deadly crashes that killed 346 people and led to the aircraft's global grounding by regulators, news wires reported. The company on Wednesday said work on the MAX had resumed at its Renton, Washington, factory as it implements initiatives to enhance workplace safety and product quality.