Auto News 5

As VW pursues its aim to become the world's No. 1 automaker, CEO Martin Winterkorn is making changes among his top executives. Full story...

When Susan Docherty was marketing manager for the Escalade SUV in the late 1990s, Cadillac was shifting its brand positioning to what it called "art and science." It worked pretty well, too. Full story...

Nico Hulkenberg tried "too hard" during his grand prix debut in Bahrain last weekend, but Rubens Barrichello backs the young German to get up to speed. Full story...

Judging by the number of diminutive SX4s we see on the roads here in Quebec, there is no question that Suzuki has caught the attention of the province with its little hatchback number. For 2010, the automaker is introducing a new mid-range, front-wheel-drive variant called the Aero. With the SX4, mid-range means slightly over $22,000, which in my book doesn't necessarily make it a bargain. Full story...

I announced that night the newest Autobot to join Transformers: the Ferrari 458 Italia. Full story…

With Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and other local officials in attendance, Chrysler Group LLC celebrated the launch of its all-new Pentastar V-6 engine at an event today at the Trenton (Mich.) South Engine Plant (TSEP). Full story...

Red Bull's reserve drivers will not alternate their duties between the energy drink company's two formula one teams in 2010. Full story...

Durham School Services, which transports students throughout the U.S., has placed an order with Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) for 288 Saf-T-Liner EF school buses with SCR technology. Delivery of the vehicles, which are made by Thomas Built Buses, is scheduled to commence in late May 2010. The buses will be used for transporting public school students in Indianapolis, the capital of Indiana. Full story...

An access tunnel underneath a section of track near Spa-Francorchamps' famous Blanchimont corner has partially collapsed. Full story...

French car manufacturer has put pressure on the FIA since last winter to be allowed to make some changes to his engine despite the regulations. Full story...

Stefan GP confirmed on Monday that its relationship with Toyota has ended for now. Full story...

The production lines at Saab Automobile's state-of-the-art Trollhättan plant began rolling again today, heralding a new era for the Swedish premium car maker as an independent company. To mark the occasion, Saab Automobile CEO Jan Åke Jonsson, Spyker Cars CEO Victor Muller and Trollhättan Plant Director Gunnar Brunius took up positions on the line alongside assembly workers as the first batch of cars was built. Full story...

Bridgestone is not reconsidering its decision to pull out of formula one at the end of 2010. Full story...

The Team Peugeot Total travelled to Florida with a view to preparing for June's Le Mans 24 Hours, and it will return home on Wednesday with plenty of valuable data in their computers, plus a landmark one-two finish in the Sebring 12 Hour race itself. Full story...

A new 350/290 HP Deluxe crate engine is offered from GM Performance Parts (GMPP), adding an aluminum intake manifold and an attractive chrome dress-up kit to the best-selling small-block package. The engine is built with all-new parts and carries an MSRP of $2,900. Full story...

Auto123.com's René Fagnan is currently in Great Britain for an exclusive visit of the stunning McLaren Technology Centre, the facility of the British Formula 1 team and production plant of the new McLaren MP4-12C super road car. Full story...

Carbon Motors Corporation and BMW Group today jointly announced a strategic partnership in a joint press conference held outside of the 2010 Government and Security/U.S. Law Conference and Exposition. Full story...

Auburn Hills, Mich. - Chrysler Group LLC today announced its plans to engineer and produce a pure electric vehicle using the Fiat 500 platform. Shown earlier this year at the 2010 North American International Auto Show, the Fiat 500EV demonstrates the immediate benefits of the alliance between Chrysler Group and the Fiat Group as well as the speed at which the two companies can work together on advanced vehicle programs. Full story...

Casey Stoner (Ducati) ended Valentino Rossi's (Yamaha) 2010 winter testing domination, beating him by less than 0,05 sec - yes, a whole five hundredths' of a second - late on Friday evening in Qatar. Full story...

Mercedes hopes to race ahead in the pitstop department starting with this weekend's Australian grand prix. Full story...