Auto News 5

Daimler AG has acquired an equity stake of nearly 10 percent of Tesla Motors Inc. This investment deepens the relationship between the inventor of the automobile and the newest member of the global auto industry. Tesla is the only production automaker selling a highway capable electric vehicle in North America and Europe. Full story...

The veteran team leader for Ducati claimed both victories at the Kyalami WSBK weekend, extending his comfortable lead in the championship. Once again, arch-rival Ben Spies (Yamaha) collected the Superpole, his 6th of the season, but Failed had to suffer another set-back even tough he collected his sixth Superpole, by a minuscule 0.001 sec., the smallest time unit the system can differentiate. Full story...

"We just did not hit the set-up today". That is how Mat Mladin explained his first non win of the 2009 season in the Saturday race, ending up fifth behind winner Josh Hayes (Yamaha), Suzuki team mate Tommy Hayden, Larry Pegram (Ducati) and Aaron Yates aboard another Suzuki. Full story...

The trial period of the pilot photo radar and red-light surveillance project begins today in the province of Québec. This three-month period will be followed by an 18 month long pilot project. Full story...

McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton seems unlikely to be able to defend his drivers' crown, but his relationship with American pop group Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger is moving up a gear. Full story...

The outcome of Ferrari's legal action against the FIA, to be heard in a Paris court on Tuesday, will not be known immediately. Full story...

FIA president Max Mosley has warned that the only remedy for rebel teams left off the final 2010 entry list might be for them to buy one of their smaller rivals. Full story...

Norbert Haug said on Tuesday that the McLaren-Mercedes team has not ruled out lodging a team entry for the 2010 championship by the May 29 deadline. Full story...

Whitby, ON - BMW Canada has announced that the 2009 BMW Driver Training summer season will be held in June and July at Downsview Park, Toronto, while the highest two levels are offered in Mont-Tremblant in September. The five courses: Compact, Advanced, Perfection, and Fascination I & II are all structured to offer increasing levels of dynamic driving skills and safety, as well as a better understanding of a vehicle's capability. Full story...

Chrysler LLC was asked on Monday by a congressional subcommittee to provide documents on its planned factory closings, with the panel's chairman saying lawmakers were not given a full accounting of the matter. Full story...

The Obama administration was poised to unveil on Tuesday a new auto fuel-efficiency policy that would resolve a major dispute between California and the U.S. government over emissions, industry and other sources said. Full story...

The White House will unveil an auto fuel efficiency proposal on Tuesday to resolve a dispute between California and the U.S. Full story...

The White House will unveil an auto fuel efficiency proposal on Tuesday to resolve a dispute between California and the U.S. Full story...

In today's News Brake: A classic Ferrari sets an auction record; VW slams the brakes on merger talks with Porsche; and the Lexus LF-A is spied on the track ... But Wait, There's More! Full story...

The British government is reportedly still involved in discussions with Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Tata over financial assistance such as loan guarantees for JLR. Full story...

Many media outlets and their sales representatives are worried they'll be stuck holding the bag for outstanding bills with bankrupt Chrysler LLC. Not so for the big guys. NBC, Fox and ABC are getting paid for national ad time on their TV networks. Full story...

Many media outlets and their sales reps are worried they'll be stuck holding the bag for outstanding bills with Chrysler, which is restructuring under Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, and anxieties are climbing over bills for GM, which is expected... Full story...

Many media outlets and their sales representatives are worried they'll be stuck holding the bag for outstanding bills with bankrupt Chrysler LLC. Not so for the big guys. NBC, Fox and ABC are getting paid for national ad time on their TV networks. Full story...

Fiat chief executive Sergio Marchionne is meeting with advisers and German government officials until Wednesday at which point he will submit a non-cash offer for General Motors' unit Adam Opel AG, a person familiar with the situation said on Monday. Full story...

Hyundai and Kia - both part of Hyundai Motor - have said they will speed up platform sharing to cut research and development costs and improve HM's competitiveness. Full story...