Auto News 5

Pirelli, Europe's third-largest tire company, will invest 1.9 billion euros ($2.7 billion) over the next five years on premium products and its emerging market presence to boost margins. Full story...

Toyota led carmakers in cutting CO2 emissions in Europe last year and is closest to achieving its target under EU legislation, an environmental transport group said. Full story...

GM has started making an electric version of its popular Chevrolet New Sail in China and will roll out prototypes before the end of the year, making it the first foreign automaker to build electric cars in the world's biggest auto market. Full story...

Japanese electronics giant Panasonic Corp. said late Wednesday it invested $30 million in the U.S. electric car manufacturer Tesla Motors Inc. to cooperate on green powertrain development. Full story...

U.S. consumers are holding onto their current vehicles longer, automotive consultant Polk said. This continues a trend that began in late 2008 -- coinciding with a dropoff in new-vehicle sales and the U.S. economic downturn. Full story...

ADESA Inc. has acquired Premier Auction Group, which includes six auction sites, and is building a greenfield auction site in Las Vegas, the used-vehicle auction giant said today. The acquired auction houses are Bay Auto Auction in Bay City, Mich. Full story...

The success of the Morgan Motor Company was founded on the manufacture of an icon, the Morgan Threewheeler. This brilliant but simple design by engineer Harry Morgan (HFS) became one of the most successful lightweight cars of the early days of motoring. From 1909 to 1953 around 30,000 Morgan Threewheelers were manufactured in Malvern and many more were made under license by Darmont Morgan in France. For many lucky owners it was their first experience of the freedom that car ownership could bring. Fast acceleration combined with a cruising range of over 50 miles to a gallon of petrol was an unbeatable combination in the day. On the race track the car became very successful, famously winning the French Grand Prix in 1913 and regularly lapping the banked Brooklands track at an average speed of over 100 mph. Stirling Moss who owned one is on record as saying "My Morgan was a great babe magnet". Full story...

At first, the excitement makes you tuck a grin discreetly behind your lips-- but when approaching the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe for a drive, nervous pangs in the stomach are the more likely physiological reaction. Full story...

China's Shanghai circuit must improve its track surface and rain drainage before hosting its eighth grand prix next April. Full story...

Energy drink giant Red Bull of Dietrich Mateschitz insists it has no plans to sell the Scuderia Toro Rosso Formula 1 team. Full story...

Even after hosting its inaugural grand prix less than two weeks ago, a cloud is above the future of Korea's formula one race. Full story...

Gateway International Raceway has ceased operations. Full story...

The lead attorney for the US grand prix promoter has denied reports the Austin track will not be ready for its scheduled 2012 race debut. Full story...

Fernando Alonso believes Ferrari's rivals are "trying to divert attention" from their own problems by playing psychological games in the media. Full story...

The inaugural running of last month's Korean grand prix has been brought into question with a piece of emerging news on Thursday. Full story...

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia - Canadians are buying more and more compact crossovers, so automakers have been multiplying their offerings in that segment. Full story...

The Renault V8 engine to be used by Sebastian Vettel in Brazil this weekend in his Red Bull RB6 has already contested two grands prix, it has emerged. Full story...

Buick reveals the production version of the 2012 Regal GS, an even sportier expression of the Regal sport sedan that went on sale earlier this year and has attracted new buyers to the Buick family. Powered by a high-output, exclusive Ecotec 2.0L turbocharged engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission, the GS delivers an estimated 255 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque for a 0-60 mph performance of less than seven seconds. Full story...

The Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder concept makes its UK debut today at MPH The Prestige and Performance Motor Show at Earls Court in London. For the first time, British motoring enthusiasts visiting the annual celebration of performance motoring will be able to lay their eyes on one of the most exclusive cars in the world. Full story...

Today's highlight video consists in some carefully selected cars and trucks that we feel deserve a little extra attention. Of those, look for the Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak, HPA-built Jeep Wrangler TDI and AWD twin-turbo VR6 Scirocco, Chop Shop Customs' 1970 Chevy Nova, a glimpse of Mr Foose and the über-cool Abt Audi R8 GT R. For those that have a penchant for women over cars, you will also be served. Full story...