Auto News 5

BMW has set up a joint venture with carbon-fiber specialist SGL Group to build lightweight components for the carmaker's Megacity electric vehicle. Full story...

Renault SA said positive trends carried over into the third quarter from the second and sales declined less sharply than earlier in the year. Full story...

The House on Thursday passed a bill to raise limits on federally guaranteed loans to small businesses including auto dealerships to $3 million, putting pressure on the Senate to approve similar legislation. Full story...

BMW has set up a joint venture with carbon-fiber specialist SGL Group to build lightweight components for the carmaker's Megacity electric vehicle. Full story...

Global car sales are expected to grow about 6 percent to 65 million vehicles in 2010 as a financial crisis ends, helping demand revive, Hyundai Motor Group's research body said on Friday. Full story...

The House on Thursday passed a bill to raise limits on federally guaranteed loans to small businesses including auto dealerships to $3 million, putting pressure on the Senate to approve similar legislation. Full story...

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ON, - Seventy of Canada's top automotive journalists spent this week in the picturesque tourist town of Niagara-on-the-Lake; but not for the scenery or the wine tasting. Journalist members of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) were here for the express purpose of determining the 'Best New' cars, trucks and SUV/CUVs in 12 different vehicle categories, as part of AJAC's annual Canadian Car of the Year Awards program. Full story...

AEM is proud to display Jeremy Lookofsky's modified Scion xD build in its booth at SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Assocation) 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Full story...

According to SpeedTV.com, clothing manufacturer IZOD is about to sign on as principal series sponsor for the IndyCar, the first one since 2002. Full story...

The rivalry between Mitsubishi and Subaru has just been taken to the next level. Mitsubishi has always favoured sedans while Subaru threw its lot in with hatchbacks. Subaru always retaliated to whatever the competition threw its way, but Mitsubishi was a bit slower to do so. This year, the automaker is falling in step with the others and is now offering an upscale version of the hatchback. Full story...

Sir Frank Williams has confirmed speculation that his Grove based team will switch to Cosworth power for the 2010 season. Full story...

Ford Motor Company announced today that Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD) has joined in a collaborative effort to deliver a pure battery electric Ford Transit Connect van for the United States and Canadian markets in 2010. Azure will integrate its Force Drive(TM) battery electric drive train in the Transit Connect van for commercial fleet and retail use. Full story...

As the first employer, the Volkswagen Group has adopted a "Global Labor Charter". The Charter sets out binding minimum standards for the entire Group in the area of the participation rights of employee representative bodies at the level of individual facilities. The Charter, concluded between employee representative bodies, the Group Board of Management and the International Metalworkers' Federation, was signed at the meeting of the Global Group Works Council held at the Volkswagen plant in Zwickau. Full story...

The Volkswagen Group today presented its "Best Apprentice Award" to young achievers from all over the world. The award for outstanding professional competence was presented to 22 apprentices from eleven countries on the occasion of a joint meeting of the Global Group Works Council and the Group Board of Management at the Volkswagen plant in Zwickau. Full story...

According to local news agencies and police reports Richard Petty Motorsports driver, AJ Allmendinger, was arrested early Thursday morning after being pulled over on a North Carolina road and failing a field sobriety test, followed by a breathalyzer. Full story...

The 2010 grid is set to take further shape next week, with some key deals expected to be announced officially. Full story...

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Subaru of America, Inc. today announced two tuner models along with a "blast from the past" Subaru classic that will debut at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center Nov. 3-6. Further models will be announced in due course. Full story...

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Demonstrating the wide range of aftermarket potential for the Genesis Coupe, Hyundai Motor America has partnered with Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) and the Tuner School to develop a powerful entry for this year's Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. The matte black, carbon fiber-wrapped Hennessey Genesis Carbon Coupe is designed with a high-end European look and performance capabilities to match. The vehicle will be in Hyundai's display at the Las Vegas Convention Center Nov. 3-6, 2009 (booth # 24387). Full story...

Munich . The John Cooper Works name has been inextricably linked with the legendary motorsport exploits of MINI for over 40 years now. The acclaimed British firm is synonymous with racing expertise and premium quality, and the spirit of John Cooper is also woven into the exquisite MINI Collection in the shape of textiles and accessories for him and her. This sporting product line sets out to "KEEP IT WILD" and transfer that racing feeling to the road. In so doing, the items in the range exude a cool vintage style, complete with logos and trim features which recall the distinctive British Racing Green colour shade. This authentic look will please both budding amateur mechanics and those with less of a fondness for grease and spanners. Full story...

Reviewing the Audi R8, it's hard not to gush performance specs like a 14-year-old watching a Top Gear marathon on YouTube. Celebrated worldwide by automotive media and enthusiasts, the speed, buzz, and styling of this machine are all undeniable. It's become something of a big-screen star lately, too. Full story...