Auto News 5

General Motors is prepared to part with a controlling stake in Opel/Vauxhall for nothing but a pledge to invest directly in a new company formed from its European operations, the Financial Times said on Sunday, citing two people familiar with... Full story...

Bentley has pulled ahead the launches of its future models by six months so that the product cycle "is matched to the recovery in 2010," said Stuart McCullough, Bentley's board member for sales and marketing. Full story...

Bentley has pulled ahead the launches of its future models by six months so that the product cycle "is matched to the recovery in 2010," said Stuart McCullough, Bentley's board member for sales and marketing. Full story...

General Motors has sent out confidentiality agreements to more than six potential investors for its Opel/Vauxhall unit, CEO Fritz Henderson said. Full story...

The Volkswagen Routan minivan, which arrived in showrooms in September, is selling so slowly that no units have rolled off the assembly line since December. VW has not decided whether to build a second-generation Routan. Full story...

The British engineering and technical support company Ricardo PLC will collaborate with Russian automaker JSC AvtoVAZ to develop the new VAZ-21176 VVT gasoline engine. Full story...

French auto supplier Faurecia SA thinks the next generation of automotive seating could eliminate polyurethane foam. Full story...

Canadian race car driver Jacques Villeneuve will not compete in the final round of the Speedcar Series this weekend in Bahrein, site of the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Full story...

Distance, not speed, was the goal this weekend on the track at the 2009 Shell Eco-marathon Americas, an event held at the Auto Club Speedway in Southern California on April 15-18, 2009. In this challenge, University and High School students design, build and test fuel-efficient vehicles that travel the farthest distance using the least amount of fuel. And this year Canadians took first prize! Full story...

The entry list for the next Indianapolis 500 includes a total of 40 cars that will fight to get into one of the 33 grid positions. Full story...

With less than four weeks to go before the start of the 2009 DTM season at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg, the most popular international touring car series presented itself to its fans in the sports city of Düsseldorf. Full story...

On Monday, the FIA backed team Williams Adam Parr's claim that Ferrari said it fielded technically illegal cars in formula one. Full story...

It was auto racing at its most thrilling as actor Keanu Reeves prevailed over a highly competitive group of stars of film, television and sports to win the Celebrity Category of the 2009 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race held in Long Beach, California, on April 18. "The King of the Beach," six-time Toyota Grand Prix winner Al Unser, Jr., finished first among all drivers and won in the Professional category, followed closely by NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Johnny Benson. Full story...

Today on Parliament Hill, the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) renewed its call for the implementation of a robust vehicle scrappage program at the federal level. Since November of last year, vehicle sales have been in steep decline in Canada and all of the other measures taken in support of the auto industry to date could be for naught if the demand side of the issue is not addressed. A fleet renewal program that is more signifigant than the current $300 program would do much to stimulate sales in Canada. Full story...

The Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG, the powerful top-of-the-line S-Class model, is now even more appealing: thanks to a series of subtle yet extremely effective fine-tuning measures, the performance saloon is even more striking and priceless than ever before. The updated technology is aimed at ensuring a more dynamic driving experience as well as optimum active and passive safety. Full story...

Porsche today officially unveiled its Panamera four-door performance car. The first all-new, built-from-the-ground-up vehicle from the German manufacturer since the debut of the Cayenne in 2002, the Panamera was presented at the Shanghai motor show. Full story...

It was auto racing at its most thrilling as actor Keanu Reeves prevailed over a highly competitive group of stars of film, television and sports to win the Celebrity Category of the 2009 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race held in Long Beach, California, on April 18. "The King of the Beach," six-time Toyota Grand Prix winner Al Unser, Jr., finished first among all drivers and won in the Professional category, followed closely by NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Johnny Benson. Full story...

Richard Petty Motorsports announced today that it had signed A.J. Allmendinger for the entire 2010 Sprint Cup season. The team had recently confirmed that the former open-wheel ace would continue on through September of this year. Full story...

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced the name for its new model series which until now has been known as RR4. The name was announced by CEO, Tom Purves at a press conference held at the Shanghai motor show. Full story...

We have posted a spectacular photo gallery of Red Bull Racing's maiden victory and Sebastian Vettel's second win in Formula 1 at the Grand Prix of China Sunday. Full story...