Auto News 5

Volkswagen AG's luxury division, Audi AG, aims for earnings before interest and taxes to rise faster than revenue this year as the A8 sedan and the new A1 compact win more customers in its largest markets. Full story...

Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor, which is already selling Hover SUVs in Italy, aims to expand into other west European markets in two to three years, a senior executive said on Thursday. Full story...

Toyota has taken several steps to improve its flawed quality control procedures, the company's U.S. sales chief told Congress today. But Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Full story...

International Automotive Components Group Inc. has further expanded its growing presence in China with a new automotive carpet manufacturing plant near Beijing, the supplier said today. Full story...

Two weeks after being named top marketer at General Motors Co. Full story...

General Motors Co. lost its second arbitration out of two known cases -- this time to a dealership in rural Missouri. Thomas Motors in Moberly won reinstatement and has been told by GM that it will get a letter of intent, the dealer's attorney said. Full story...

International Automotive Components Group Inc. has further expanded its growing presence in China with a new automotive carpet manufacturing plant near Beijing, the supplier said today. Full story...

Volkswagen Chairman Ferdinand Piech has a deep appreciation for Italian treasures. If things go according to plan, he will have another one soon: Italdesign Giugiaro. Full story...

Indebted Porsche SE is facing another lawsuit filed by two U.S. hedge funds seeking damages worth $1 billion, Germany's manager magazin reported on Wednesday citing financial sources. Full story...

Management and labor at Opel/Vauxhall unit are close to reaching a deal that would cut wage costs at the troubled European carmaker, both sides said. Full story...

Two weeks after being named top marketer at General Motors Co. Full story...

General Motors Co. lost its second arbitration out of two known cases -- this time to a dealership in rural Missouri. Thomas Motors in Moberly won reinstatement and has been told by GM that it will get a letter of intent, the dealer's attorney said. Full story...

Designer Peter Schreyer has quite an impressive resume. Among others, he's the mastermind behind the Audi TT and Volkswagen New Beetle, two cars that literally brought their respective brands back to the forefront of the global design scene. When such an expert decides to lead a team of bright young stylists at a company like Kia, every product and idea is thoroughly revisited and improved. Full story...

Annapolis, MD - Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley (D) today signed two bills into law that will support advanced vehicle propulsion technology and help spur early consumer acceptance of electric vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt. Full story...

Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) today announced that they intend to cooperate on the development of electric vehicles, parts, and production system and engineering support. The two companies intend to form a team of specialists to further those efforts. TMC has agreed to purchase $50 million of Tesla's common stock issued in a private placement to close immediately subsequent to the closing of Tesla's currently planned initial public offering. Full story...

Are you a child of the eighties? If so, you know that Hyundai was building Ponies and Excels while we wore Hypercolor shirts and drooled over cars like the Nissan 300ZX, Mazda RX-7 and Toyota Supra. Full story...

FAZZT Racing's driver Alex Tagliani set the third fastest time Wednesday at the end of the practice session on the oval of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Full story...

The Ford Flex has been turning heads for almost two years now. And in that time, one thing has remained constant - the customer's love for the style and personality the Flex brings to the driveway. With that in mind, Ford announces the latest addition to the Flex lineup, Flex Titanium - a highly contented vehicle with individual style that will stand out in the world of more traditional crossovers and sport utility vehicles. Full story...

Lotus Racing has apparently elected to shift design focus on their 2011 car in hopes to beat the opposition. Full story...

According to The Detroit News, GM has decided to build the high-performance version of its upcoming Buick Regal sedan. Full story...