Auto News 5

U.S. Mercedes-Benz dealers urged the automaker to open the faucet a tad on vehicle inventories, especially the M-class crossover and E-class coupe, as the automaker prepares for higher volumes in 2010. Factory officials told U.S. Full story...

Porsche Cars North America says it has slashed its inventories in half in the past few months to about 45 days and expects to end incentive spending by the end of March. Full story...

French auto parts supplier Valeo SA on Wednesday said it wanted to double its operating margin in 2010 from 2009 levels after posting a 14 percent drop in full-year sales and a net loss. Full story...

BMW Group is using the Winter Olympics to launch a marketing campaign to convince shoppers that BMWs are engineered well but are fun to drive, too. George Sharpe Sr., chairman of the BMW Dealer Forum in the U.S. Full story...

It is now official: Hummer will be dropping off the automotive landscape. The Chinese company Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machines Co. that had made a decisive offer to General Motors did not receive the go-ahead from the Chinese government. As a result, Hummer will no longer be, and GM will let it die a peaceful death. Full story...

The sixth generation of Sonata is now being delivered to Canadian dealers, and Hyundai Canada is acting like the proud parent of a new baby. Since this Sonata showcases everything from their concept of Fluid Sculpture to new applications of direct injection for gasoline engines, they probably have the right to act this way. Full story...

Nissan's GT-R four-wheel powerslides into 2010 with more grunt than ever. Now standard with 485 horsepower, an advanced all wheel drive system and the market's most sophisticated driver aid technologies, the GT-R carries forward as an attainable supercar that can be used by anyone, 365 days a year. Full story...

The 2011 Ford Super Duty contains a wealth of new technologies - from all-new powertrains to software designed to take full advantage of the truck's continuing best-in-class towing and payload capability - so that customers can get the job done efficiently. Ford research shows that 97 percent of Super Duty customers tow, underscoring the importance of the new Super Duty's best-in-class towing capability. Full story...

Alfa Romeo will present the Giulietta, a five-door hatchback, at the 80th Geneva Motor Show. The car features a new 'Compact' architecture which, thanks to the refined technical solutions employed for the suspension, the dual pinion active steering, the fine materials used and the manufacturing technologies implemented, allows the Giulietta to achieve excellent levels both in terms of on-board comfort as well as its dynamic and safety features (active and passive). Full story...

Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is presenting the world debut in Geneva of the Cayenne Sports Utility. Full story...

Hyundai has today revealed the first photo of the all-new concept car i-flow (HED-7), ahead of its international debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week. The i-flow, which advances the 'fluidic sculpture' form language of Hyundai, will be joined on stage by other newcomers, including the facelifted i30 ? to be launched as i30U ? and a number of new, production-ready derivatives with CO2 emissions below 100g/km. Full story...

Volkswagen presents the "Geneva Salon 2010" application for the iPhone for the 80th International Geneva Motor Show Full story...

Chevrolet's new Chinese-built and designed 2010 Sail serves to introduce Visteon Corporation's latest in global instrument cluster and audio platforms. Full story...

The new two-cylinder engine family made by FPT - Fiat Powertrain Technologies called TWIN-AIR will be making its debut at the Geneva Motor Show. This is a brand-new concept on the worldwide auto scene and confirms the leadership of the Fiat Group in this field. Full story...

Corona, Calif. - Recent testing revealed that off-the-shelf Eibach suspension components dramatically improve performance and mileage in a 2010 Camaro SS. Known worldwide for their success on the race track, Eibach has effectively applied this knowledge to the street with their Pro-Plus Performance Handling Package for the hot new Chevrolet Camaro. Full story...

Customers hitting the road in a new 2011 Ford, Lincoln or Mercury equipped with voice-controlled navigation will be able to tap into nearly 2,500 miles of highway and interstate lanes designed to help get them where they need to go quicker and with less hassle. Full story...

Malaysia's former prime minister on Monday said he agreed to launch Lotus' Norfolk headquarters because he initially did not believe the team would get up and running in 2010. Full story...

General Motors' brands Vauxhall and Chevrolet welcome today's announcement made by Lord Adonis and Pat McFadden in relation to the grant subsidy available for electric vehicles. GM applauds the Government's commitment to electric drivetrain technology and will continue to work closely with them to ensure the successful implementation of an EV infrastructure across the UK. Full story...

General Motors Co.'s top executive in charge of developing batteries for the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid is leaving to take a position with an unnamed startup battery company in California. Full story...

Hummer dealer Jim Lynch thought he had prepared for the worst. With Hummer sales last summer down about 60 percent from 2008 levels, the standalone Hummer dealer opened a gun shop in his Chesterfield, Mo., store. Full story...