Auto News 5

The success of GM's IPO bodes well for Chrysler's planned share sale, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said. Full story...

Chrysler Group today released a list of 130 dealerships that have received letters of intent to get Fiat franchises. Full story...

Even as it was phasing out its other vehicle assembly operations, Pininfarina had hoped to specialize as a producer of electric cars. Full story...

Saab is challenging BMW AG and Audi AG with its first crossover, which will be displayed today at the Los Angeles auto show. Full story...

Tiny Norwegian electric car maker Think is trying to turn its biggest weakness into a strength. 'The real opportunity for us is to accelerate our capabilities on the sales and distribution front,' new Think CEO Barry Engle said. Full story...

Indian and Russian companies may follow China's lead in doing overseas deals to help grow their automotive industries, Meyrick Cox of Moelis and Co told the Reuters Global Autos Summit in London. Full story...

Fisker Automotive is negotiating a deal to sell its Karma electric car in China and remains open to partnerships with larger rivals, CEO Henrik Fisker said. Full story...

Seat named Matthias Rabe as its new randd chief. He replaces Frank Bekemeier, who will head VW Shanghai product development. Full story...

Fiat, Volkswagen, Ford, Opel/Vauxhall, Renault and PSA all saw steep declines in their European new-car sales in October as the region's auto market fell by 16.1 percent. Full story...

Nissan kept the new Ellure Concept heavily under wraps until its debut at the LA Auto Show today. Details on the concept vehicle were scant to non-existent - the only information that the Japanese carmaker has released is that it will be "a sedan notable for its innovation". Full story...

There's a lot riding on the shoulders, er, fenders of the 9-4X. Since Saab split from GM, the crossover debuting today in LA is only the second release for the now Spyker-owned company. Built on the new Cadillac SRX platform, the 9-4X will feature a 265-hp, 3.0-litre V6 or a 300-hp, turbo 2.8-litre V6 underhood and an available Haldex all-wheel drive system. It will share similar design cues with the 9-5 sedan, and features a well-appointed cabin. Full story...

Concept cars often look great when unveiled, but sometimes some great features of those concepts never make it to production. Hopefully, the BMW 6 Series Concept unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show will remain the same, because it's simply one of the most exciting cars BMW made in the past years. Full story...

Fiat is back in North America. Following a strategic alliance with Chrysler, the Italian automaker just presented the North-American version of the 500 at the 2010 Los Angeles car show. Full story...

For years, the automotive press has been whining about how great the European Focus is compared to the one we get in North America. The complaints will now come to an end, as the 2012 Focus has become a global car. Full story...

Having a really good reputation in Europe, ABT Sportsline made a big splash at the 2010 SEMA show by introducing their 2011 Audi R8 GT-R. The beast's 5.2-litre engine now develops 620 horsepower instead of the factory 525, along with a top speed of 325 km/h with a 0-100 km/h acceleration in an astonishing 3.2 seconds. Full story...

Honda and Acura products typically receive a mid-cycle refresh, and it's the TSX's turn to get one. Full story...

Based on the same platform as the unibody 2011 Grand Cherokee, the new mid-size Durango boasts entirely unique sheetmetal, giving the SUV a sportier demeanour than the Jeep. It's a few inches longer compared to the Cherokee, which is normal since it gets three rows of seats. The base model is equipped with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 that develops 290 horsepower, while the R/T trim benefits from a 360-horsepower, 5.7-litre HEMI V8. Full story...

The much-anticipated second-generation X3 from BMW makes its "official" North American debut at the Los Angeles auto show. Longer, wider and slightly lower than the first-generation X3, the new model benefits from increased rear-seat room, more cargo room as well as improved interior fit and finish. Full story...

Sometimes, little companies manage to play with the big boys, but such an accomplishment is rare. CODA Automotive brought their all-electric car to the 2010 Los Angeles Car Show and made a big splash. Will they be able to change the game and become a leader in the market for electric cars? Only time will tell, but this automobile has tons of potential! Full story...

On display under the Porsche banner, is the ultimate Carrera, the 911 Carrera GTS. Unveiled at the Paris Auto Show, the GTS's 3.8-litre engine has had intake and exhaust modifications, bumping the output up from 385 to 405 hp. Standard is a six-speed manual transmission, with an optional 7-speed PDK gearbox. PDK-equipped models fitted with a Sport Chrono Package Plus should hit 100 km from 0 in a blistering 4 seconds. It rides on the same 1.7-inch wider rear track as the Carrera 4 all-wheel drive model, hence wider wheels behind. Full story...