Auto News 5

Daimler has delayed plans to knock down its old headquarters building in Untertürkheim and replace it. Full story...

Team Auto Express race through the night for Children in Need… Full story...

If evidence was required that conditions are tough in the auto industry even for stellar performers, ratings agency Fitch has just provided some. Full story...

Nissan North America, Inc. has announced the creation of the Infiniti Business Unit, a new organisation designed to maximise customer service and efficiencies in the luxury market. Full story...

European Union Industry Commissioner Guenter Verheugen on Tuesday signalled support for a German offer to help ailing carmaker Opel, saying he welcomed measures that would prevent the firm from disappearing. Full story...

News that the German government will bail out Opel if difficulties at its parent company, GM, means it does run out of funds, are not without controversy. Full story...

As widely anticipated, Ford has today announced it is to sell a slice of its Mazda stake to help bolster its cash position. Ford retains a significant stake, but its influence within the Mazda boardroom will now be much reduced. Full story...

The European car industry cannot expect to be treated in a similar way to the financial sector and countries must not offer automakers unfair incentives, the EU competition commissioner said on Tuesday. Full story...

Automotive design, development & certification consultancy MIRA says it is accelerating its drive into new business sectors and increasing international growth with the appointment of Dr George Gillespie as CEO. Full story...

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that the German government is ready to guarantee funds for Opel, if that becomes necessary. Full story...

The German government is ready to guarantee funds for ailing carmaker Opel but any money it provides to the General Motors' unit must stay in Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday. Full story...

Ford Motor has raised $540 million after selling the bulk of its 33.4 percent stake in Mazda. Ford's ownership of Mazda stock has been reduced. Full story...

Ford Motor could announce plans to sell a 20 percent stake in Mazda Motor as early as Tuesday, the Nikkei business daily reported. Ford, which has a controlling 33.4 percent stake in the Japanese automaker, is scrambling to raise cash. Full story...

Ford Motor has raised $540 million after selling 20 percent of its 33.4 percent stake in Mazda. The sale means that Ford will end 12 years of control of Mazda. The U.S. carmaker first took a stake in the Japanese carmaker in 1979. Full story...

Auto supplier leaders will join the Detroit 3 chiefs in Washington, D.C., this week to push for emergency federal aid to the automotive industry. Full story...

Auto companies would be able to receive emergency aid within a month under a Senate proposal for a $25 billion loan package that circulated here late Monday. Full story...

The Formula 1 cars designed by Red Bull Technology - the Red Bull-Renault and the two Toro Rosso-Ferraris, emerged on top of the timing sheets today in Day 2 of the winter test session held at Circuit de Catalunya, Spain. Full story...

Driving excitement is seldom a priority of Toyota buyers. They're more interested in reliability, resale value, build quality and what can be described as understated styling. It's almost as if they where allergic to adrenalin. The same logic applies to the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid. True, this car has a certain charisma while also being fuel-efficient and flawlessly constructed. But in terms of thrills behind the wheel, the only thing that will send a shiver down your spine is if the interior temperature is too cold. Full story...

The rumour that had been circulating for a while now was confirmed this morning. Ford's fire sale and urgent search for funds have resulted in the sale of most of its stake in the Mazda Motor Corporation. The manufacturer is practically selling the entirety of its assets in the companies of which it held a majority of shares. After the sale of Aston Martin to the ProDrive consortium and the block sale of the British Land Rover and Jaguar brands to the Tata group, it's now Mazda's turn. Full story...

Driver Antoine L'Estage and co-driver Nathalie Richard will run for the North-American Rally Championship this weekend in Bancroft, Ontario during the Tall Pines Rally. Full story...