Auto News 5

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: Not a bad little piece but holy crap, that sticker price is at least $7,000 more than I would have guessed! Ford has done some serious revamping of this little ute. Full story...

American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM) results in the fourth quarter of 2009 were net earnings of US$48.6m or $0.80 per share. This compares to a net loss of $112.1m, or $2.17 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2008. Full story...

Seating specialist Lear Corporation reported fourth quarter net sales of US$2.7bn and pretax income of $1,194m, including a gain related to reorganisation items and fresh start accounting adjustments of $1,513m, a goodwill impairment charge of $319.0m and restructuring costs of $59.3m. Income before interest, other expense, income taxes, restructuring costs and other special items (core operating earnings) was $115.5m in the fourth quarter of 2009. This compared with net sales of $2.6bn, a pretax loss of $682.9m, including a goodwill impairment charge of $530.0m, and core operating earnings of $22.0m in the fourth quarter of 2008. Full story...

Toyota Motor is set to file recalls over brake problems with its latest Prius hybrid in both the United States and Japan, in a move that will affect more than 270,000 vehicles, Japanese sources familiar with the matter said on Monday. Full story...

Better Place, the US start up developing charging stations, expects to serve thousands of electric cars on Israeli roads by the second half of 2011, CEO Shai Agassi said. Full story...

Vehicle sales in Russia were down almost 50% last year to 1.5 million according to JATO Dynamics. Full story...

Russian automaker GAZ Group's attempt to restructure its debts has again been stalled by Alfa Bank, according to business daily Vedomosti, which cited sources involved in the talks. Full story...

The Italian government has received a number of offers to convert Fiat SpA's Termini Imerese plant to other uses after the company suspends car production there, industry minister Claudio Scajola said. Full story...

Volkswagen's Audi luxury division reported a strong order book for the the first three months of this year after demand in China, North America and Europe saw 39% sales jump in January. Full story...

Baby concept shows potential for new two-seater; micro-car penned in VW’s Brazilian studio Full story...

Citroen confirms Cooper S rival; prototype spied as it takes shape Full story...

The European version of Honda's CR-Z hybrid coupe will make its debut at the 2010 Geneva motor show in March, showing off the flexible 2+2 seat arrangement exclusive to this market. Full story...

Facelifted Ford family model spied undisguised; Eco-boost engines, twin-clutch gearbox to debut

Full story...

On sale this week as a 2011 model year vehicle already, Ford's Brazilian made EcoSport has minor styling updates including the model name foremost on the hood like a Land Rover, a new grille, headlamps, wheels and roof rack. Full story...

Live coverage of our endurance race in Mazda's MX-5. Full story...

Live coverage of our endurance race in Mazda's MX-5. Full story...

Though it has forecast 10,000 sales in Brazil in 2010, Volkswagen has yet to announce the price of its first ever medium-size pickup, the Amarok. Only the top line Highline double cab version will be available in April with part-time four-wheel drive, six-speed manual transmission and a 160bhp, bi-turbodiesel two-litre, I4, 16-valve engine. Full story...

We get exclusive access to Audi’s new small car that’s set to take the fight to British baby Full story...

Subtle styling changes and an entirely new range of engines marks out facelifted off-roader

Full story...

Toyota New Zealand is voluntarily recalling all 260 2010 Prius models it has sold to update the braking system software. Full story...