Auto News 5

According to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, extreme wheel nut and hub designs in 2010 are contributing to failures. Full story...

Although it will be Japanese driver Takuma Sato first participation in the Indianapolis 500 this month, the veteran Formula 1 driver will be back on a circuit where he earned, in 2004, his only podium ever in F1. Full story...

Munich, Germany--Everyone said that it was late for the ball. These same "everyones" also said, after taking a closer look at the Q7, that it was probably going to be a hit. And so it has been written. The Q7 ended it up being a crucial player in Audi's drive for 1 million worldwide sales. The landmark was obtained in 2008, they understandably fell just shy of the mark in 2009 and now, for 2010, they are well on their way to write another page in their long-standing history books. Full story...

In the wake of the USF1 calamity, another American group has signalled its intention to race in formula one next year. Full story...

Michael Schumacher and Martin Whitmarsh have accused some team bosses of wanting "chaos" and "controversy" to reign on the streets of Monaco this weekend. Full story...

NASCAR officials issued their weekly penalty report on Wednesday evening. Two Sprint Cup teams and one Nationwide Series team were involved. Full story...

Three cars, five Harley-Davidson motorcycles and five boats are among the items from bankrupt Minnesota car dealer Denny Hecker being auctioned off to raise money for creditors. Full story...

Three cars, five Harley-Davidson motorcycles and five boats are among the items from bankrupt Minnesota car dealer Denny Hecker being auctioned off to raise money for creditors. Full story...

Saab Cars North America kicked off its first sales event as a new company today -- a leasing program for the 2010 Saab 9-3. Saab can move on the marketing front now that it has begun slowly building up its U.S. pipeline. Full story...

Jeep is pricing the base four-wheel-drive model of the 2011 Grand Cherokee, the Laredo 4x4, at $32,995, $465 less than the equivalent 2010 model. Prices include shipping. Full story...

President Barack Obama gave last-minute support today to consumer advocates and other groups that oppose an exemption for auto dealers from oversight by a proposed consumer protection agency. Sen. Full story...

A formal press conference probably won't happen until this summer, but we hear that Audi dealers have received their 2011 order guides, and it looks as though the company will be going from 0 to about 70 percent of U.S. Full story...

Hisakazu Imaki, who was the first Japanese CEO of Mazda Motor Corp. after a string of Ford-assigned chiefs, will retire next month as chairman. His post will be assumed by Mazda CEO and President Takashi Yamanouchi, 65. Full story...

We love how BMW describes the M3 GTS: perfect for the track yet and#8220;officially road legal.and#8221; Full story...

A German committee that met on Wednesday on the issue of state help to Opel made progress, the Economy Ministry said, but it was unclear whether it would support the aid request for the General Motors Co. unit. Full story...

Chrysler Group has named Jody Trapasso its top corporate lobbyist. As senior vice president of external affairs, Trapasso will direct Chryslerand#8217;s government relations on international, federal and state levels. Full story...

Ford Motor Co., seeking to boost demand for its lowest-volume brands, has named a marketing chief for Lincoln Mercury for the first time in almost two years. C.J. O'Donnell, the new group marketing manager, comes from Jaguar. He was the U.K. Full story...

Perhaps the most important vehicle to be launched by Chrysler this year, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, will start at a price that's a shade less than $33,000 for a four-wheel-drive model. The base model with two-wheel drive is $30,995. Full story...

Chris Perry has been named vice president of marketing at Hyundai Motor America, replacing Joel Ewanick. Perry, 49, has been Hyundaiand#8217;s interim head of marketing since March, when Ewanick joined Nissan North America. Full story...

A bankruptcy judge in Delaware has granted auto parts supplier Visteon more time to win support for its reorganization plan. The judge granted the company's s request today over objections from shareholders who want to submit an alternative plan. Full story...