Auto News 5

After more than 20 years of relying on Honda Financial Services as a way to provide vehicle financing to its luxury-car buyers, Acura Division finally has its own captive finance arm. Full story...

Honda Motor Co. expects to see some recovery in U.S. auto sales by summer and expects its own inventory levels to normalize by June, the company's CEO said on Thursday. Full story...

The head of the Canadian Auto Workers union said he expects to have a cost-savings agreement completed with Chrysler LLC today. Full story...

The head of the Canadian Auto Workers union said on Thursday he expects to have a cost savings agreement completed with Chrysler by Friday morning. Full story...

Campagna Motors announced today that it is partnering with OptaMotive to compete in the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize. With a prize purse of over $10 million, this competitive American race is designed to inspire the development of super fuel-efficient vehicles. The partnership's objective is to build a commercially viable and appealing vehicle capable of getting the equivalent of 2.35 litres per 100 km or less (100 miles per gallon or more) while maintaining the performance of a race car! Full story...

Munich. A child suddenly runs out into the road from between two parked cars - it's every driver's nightmare scenario. BMW Group Research and Technology, in collaboration with leading research institutes in Germany, has now developed a system that can take the heat out of such situations thanks to so-called Car-2-X Communication. Full story...

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Grand Sport. It's one of the most storied monikers in Corvette's illustrious racing heritage and it is returning the lineup. Chevrolet announced the new, 2010 Corvette Grand Sport at the 12th annunal C5/C6 Corvette Birthday Bash, held at the National Corvette Museum, in Bowling Green, Ky. Full story...

Nissan Canada today announced pricing on the all-new 2009 Nissan cube, on sale across Canada for the first time this spring. With an MSRP of $16,998, the base model comes well equipped with standard air conditioning, privacy glass, full power features, vehicle dynamic control system (VDC), anti-lock braking system (ABS), cruise control and remote keyless entry. Full story...

It looks like the various education campaigns and increased police surveillance on the road are helping the province of Quebec post far better road safety stats over the first months of 2009. Full story...

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, today announced the successful development of a prototype of its Subaru Plug-in Stella electric vehicle (EV), which will be introduced this summer in Japan. FHI will provide the Ministry of the Environment, Japan with fifteen units of the Plug-in Stella prototype for verification test which will be conducted by five prefectural and city governments. Full story...

Mont-Tremblant, PQ - Canadians like hatchbacks. The time is right for Mitsubishi for reintroduce the Lancer Sportback, but this time, it's different from the pseudo-wagon model that wasn't quite popular during the Lancer's previous generation. Full story...

Following a crushing performance by Casey Stoner and his Ducati GP9 in Qatar, the big party shifts to Montegi for the second event of this 17-race season. Full story...

Volvo Car Corporation and multiple award winning Swedish game studio, SimBin Development Team, announces that "Volvo - The Game" will be released at the end of May. The game will be free of charge. Full story...

According to Norbert Haug, recent rumours that circulated about Mercedes-Benz's involvement in Formula 1 were pure speculation. Full story...

The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG will celebrate its market launch in spring 2010. Until we can discover this new super-sports vehicle body design, here's a tastes of its interior. Full story...

Only a few loose ends apparently remain to be tied up for the Canadian Auto Workers union to reach an agreement with Chrysler's executives concerning the reduction of labour costs in the country. Full story...

Mitsubishi Motors Sales of Canada announced pricing for the 2009 Lancer Evolution RS. Available at $39,998, this model becomes the most affordable Evo but deprives owners of features that aren't really necessary in a pure performance car. Full story...

FIA president Max Mosley is tempting major formula one teams to also sign up for a budget cap next year. Full story...

Bernie Ecclestone is his usual inscrutable self in Bahrain, but interestingly he did not completely rule out getting involved with the British grand prix saga. Full story...

Milka Duno will be back on track almost immediately as she will be replacing Darren Manning in the No 23 car at Kansas Speedway this weekend for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. Full story...