Auto News 5

Electricity prices and labor costs in euro zone member Slovenia are too high, the local unit of French car maker Renault SA said. "A comparison of electricity costs among factories in the Renault group shows that we are among the most expensive ... Full story...

China's biggest automaker, SAIC Motor Corp. today said it had won approval from the Chinese stock regulator to acquire a 1 percent stake in its Shanghai 50-50 car venture with General Motors Co. Full story...

Turkish automaker Tofas beat forecasts with a 105 percent rise in 2009 net profit to 360 million lira ($239 million) on sales up 6 percent to 5.10 billion ($3.34 billion.) Tofas had been forecast to make a 293 million lira ($192.2 million) profit. Full story...

Toronto - Toyota Canada today announced that it will install a brake override system on an expanded range of customers' vehicles to provide an additional measure of confidence. This braking system enhancement will automatically reduce engine power when the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal are applied simultaneously under certain driving conditions. Full story...

"Usually reliable sources" have just told us that ten-time Canadian road racing and trials champion Jordan Szoke will take part in the 2010 championship. Full story...

As Michael Schumacher or Pedro de la Rosa did, both drivers were expecting returning to Formula One this season. Full story...

The colognE-mobil project will initially emphasise commercial vehicle application of pure electric powertrains, and Ford's participation furthers the company's commitment to accelerate the introduction of electric powertrains for a broad range of vehicles. Full story...

Detroit - General Motors and Spyker Cars NV today announced that they have finalized the deal for Spyker to purchase Saab Automobile AB. Full story...

Subaru's Outback line firmly established its reputation a while ago. Now dissociated from the Legacy models, the successful Outback has garnered quite a following in the country. In fact, the Outback is so popular that the head honchos over at Subaru decided to drop the simple wagon version of the Legacy, so limited were its sales over the past few years. To say that the Outback fills the needs of many Canadian consumers is an understatement. Full story...

Drew Blickensderfer, formerly Matt Kenseth's crew chief until last week, will be back be on the pit box, but in the Nationwide Series starting this weekend at Las Vegas. Full story...

F1 is reportedly working to convince its official tyre supplier Bridgestone to stay in formula one beyond this year. Full story...

The Rotax Max Western Canada Challenge (WCC) has released information on this year's events with trips to Rotax Max World Finals on the line. Full story...

Conquest Racing has signed young Brazilian driver Mario Romancini as a full-time entrant for the IZOD IndyCar Series in 2010. Full story...

EJ Viso has been officially confirmed as part of the KV Racing Technology line-up along with newcomer and former Formula 1 driver Takuma Sato for this year's IZOD IndyCar Series. Full story...

The largest automotive organisation in world, German ADAC, has carried out an extensive comparison test of different automatic speed and distance control systems. Volvo XC60 clearly won the test in which six different models were compared. Full story...

The famed Scuderia Ferrari, the only team to have competed in the F1 World Championship since its inception in 1950, has attacked the FIA's push to bring new teams into F1, in the wake of the problems currently surrounding Team US F1 and Campos Meta. Full story...

Based on the forecast for lower than normal temperatures in the Birmingham, Alabama area this week, the FAZZT Race Team and driver Alex Tagliani have made the decision to forgo the IZOD IndyCar Series Open Test. Full story...

I'll admit it. I have Olympic Fever! Ever since I was a little girl, living in a home equipped with only rabbit ears, I have always enjoyed watching the Olympic Games: both Winter and Summer editions! This year has been particularly exciting for me since my hometown of Vancouver is currently playing host to the whole world. I support any individual who has discovered their talent and passionately pursues it-- and I think every Olympic athlete qualifies! Full story...

Development of the groundbreaking McLaren MP4-12C is entering its final phase. The bespoke high-performance sports car is due to launch in 2011, and right now the latest Experimental Prototype (XP) 12Cs are undergoing intensive appraisal at a number of test locations around the world. Full story...

The PROTON Concept car, to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, showcases an advanced series hybrid drivetrain, designed and developed by Lotus Engineering. Full story...