Auto News 5

The Czech Republic's top industry, car production, will shed over 13,500 jobs in the next few months as suppliers are being hammered by recession in the euro zone, but vehicle output will still grow next year. Full story...

French car equipment supplier Plastic Omnium is to shut a factory near Le Havre, in northwest France, Les Echos reported on Thursday, citing information obtained from a union source by AFP. Full story...

The auto industry will sell an estimated 11.5 million new cars and trucks in 2009, the lowest sales total since 1982, according to Michael Robinette, vice president of forecast services with consulting firm CSM Worldwide. U.S. Full story...

The auto industry will sell an estimated 11.5 million new cars and trucks in 2009, the lowest sales total since 1982, according to Michael Robinet, vice president of forecast services with consulting firm CSM Worldwide. U.S. Full story...

WASHINGTON -- The House of Representatives approved emergency U.S. aid for Detroit's automakers, setting up a showdown in the Senate where prospects for passage are less certain. Full story...

Australian Formula 1 driver Mark Webber will shortly return to Europe, less than a month after badly breaking his right leg in a cycling crash. Full story...

Young Swiss driver Sébastien Buemi extended his domination of this week's test at Jerez in Spain with the fastest time on Thursday, just edging out his Scuderia Toro Rosso teammate Takuma Sato. Full story...

Bobby Labonte, a former Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series champion has been released from his contract with Petty Enterprises, it was announced Thursday. Full story...

As reported some weeks ago by Auto123.com, HVM Racing has now confirmed that E.J. Viso will be back with the team for the 2009 IndyCar series season. Full story...

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has dismissed Honda's departure as "no great loss" to his motorsport empire. Full story...

Ever wondered what car new Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton drives everyday? And what about Ferrari star driver Kimi Raikkonen? If they can handle a lightweight, 800-hp F1 race car on a road circuit, they surely want to drive exotic, super cars on the ordinary roads, right? Full story...

Olivier Quesnel has been appointed Director of both Citroën Sport and Peugeot Sport. He will take up his position on January 1, 2009. Peugeot Sport's current Director Michel Barge has moved on to another position. Full story...

Although no official confirmation has been released by the newly formed team Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, reports in the press are stating that it will close down its Nationwide operation. This information has been reported by crew chief Brad Parrott. Full story...

Two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso has moved to play down speculation that Renault could be the next manufacturer to pull out of formula one. Full story...

Bringing back the old-generation Golf and selling it at a fire-sale price means one of two things, or maybe both. First, since Volkswagen currently has no subcompact ready for sale in North America, the company has got nothing to rival the recent surge of small-car offerings. At the same time, they might have figured that Canadians need or want basic transportation at a reasonable price, whatever the technology that's baked into the vehicle. Full story...

Taking the name of Moto2, the four-stroke competition set to replace the existing 250cc series in 2011 has been detailed by an official announcement from the FIM (Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme). Full story...

Ever wondered what car new Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton drives everyday? And what about Ferrari star driver Kimi Raikkonen? If they can handle a lightweight, 800-hp F1 race car on a road circuit, they surely want to drive exotic, super cars on the ordinary roads, right? Full story...

This week, Auto123.com features the following road tests:We have a slew of reviews for you this week. Discover the 2009 Nissan 370Z, which replaces the 350Z and is more compact, more sophisticated and, above all, more powerful. The 2009 Cadillac CTS-V, the most potent luxury sedan ever produced by the American automaker. The Kia Borrego, a full-size,7-passenger SUV that stands out thanks to its careful construction. Don't miss our video on the 2009 Volkswagen City Golf road test, a versatile compact car that's fun to drive and sold for the price of a subcompact! Full story...

Young Swiss driver Sébastien Buemi extended his domination of this week's test at Jerez in Spain with the fastest time on Thursday, just edging out his Scuderia Toro Rosso teammate Takuma Sato. Full story...

Mercedes-Benz is teaming up once again with the prestigious Swiss watchmaker IWC Shaffhausen for a new limited edition, this time of the powerful and luxurious SL63 AMG roadster. Full story...