Auto News 5

Ford Motor Co. CEO Alan Mulally, who ended three years of losses in 2009 as rivals slid into bankruptcy, said the automaker's earnings next year will improve on 'solid' profit in 2010. Full story...

Car rental company Avis Budget said it filed notification with U.S. antitrust authorities, under Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, on its potential acquisition of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. Full story...

Egyptian authorities are investigating charges made in a U.S. court that German car and truck maker Daimler AG used bribes to help it win business in Egypt, the country's cabinet said in a statement on Thursday. A U.S. Full story...

Toyota's safety recall crisis has helped topple the automaker as the U.S. champion of customer loyalty, allowing Honda and Ford to leapfrog to the top spots, Consumer Reports said. Full story...

Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp. (BAIC) has lagged domestic peers in the development of its own carmaking brand. Yet now that looks set to change. Full story...

European auto executives and industry watchers say the fallout from Europe's debt crisis could have negative and positive effects on the industry. Full story...

For the first time ever, the launch of the latest Hyundai Sonata is a really, really big deal. Packed with new technologies and design cues, Hyundai's latest is destined to power away from the norm in the family sedan market. For 2011, it's got the Accord and Camry dangerously dead in its sights. Full story...

HRT "have got problems" and will struggle to make it through the 2010 season. Full story...

Lewis Hamilton has revealed that he intends to leave formula one with a better legacy than Michael Schumacher's. Full story...

Like fellow new team Lotus, Virgin is also not planning to develop a so-called F-duct system in 2010. Full story...

Torrance, Calif. - "Get in, buckle up and start talking." Lexus customers will be calling the shots in a high-definition interactive film entitled "Dark Ride." The film features Lexus' newest hybrid, the CT 200h premium compact car, piloted by actor Norman Reedus (Boondock Saints franchise). Reedus is behind the wheel in this 12:30 action film, but he is following the directions of the person riding shotgun...the consumer. Full story...

History buffs, car nuts and Audi-philes, should you ever find yourself in Germany, in Munich or more specifically, Ingolstadt, do yourself a favour and stop by the Audi Forum. Here, you will find various gems from all four makes that make up the Auto Union, which was formed in 1932; Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer. Full story...

Fernando Alonso has warned that he is not necessarily the favourite to take pole position for the Monaco grand prix. Full story...

The famed 24 Hours of the Nurburgring event for GT cars will be held this weekend and is undoubtedly the most prestigious endurance race held in Germany. Full story...

Sergio Perez clinched victory in the first GP2 race held in the streets of Monaco, second round of the 2010 series. Full story...

After a one-year break, the FIA World Touring Car Championship returns to Monza, Italy for the third meeting of the season. Full story...

Pirelli has clarified that it is not interested in competing in formula one with other tyre suppliers. Full story...

Jarno Trulli has defended F1's three new teams. Full story...

Toyota's safety recall crisis has helped topple the automaker as the U.S. champion of customer loyalty, allowing Honda and Ford to leapfrog to the top spots, Consumer Reports said. Full story...

General Motors Co. and Google Inc. are discussing a deal that would link cell phones using Google's Android operating system with the automaker's OnStar driver information service, the Wall Street Journal reported today in its print edition. Full story...