Auto News 5

Ford Motor Co. is recalling about 20,000 new vehicles in North America, mainly its heavy duty pickup trucks, due to the chance that an electrical short could cause a fire, Ford and U.S. federal regulators said today. Full story...

Teenage radio listeners might have to look somewhere else besides the family Ford for the Playboy channel or Howard Stern. Full story...

Audi says it is investing heavily in its future and intends to hire about 1,200 skilled employees in 2011. Full story...

Traders of Fiat shares are bracing for a 'crazy' day on Monday, when investors assign their first value to the two stocks formed from the biggest reorganization in the carmaker's 111-year history. Full story...

Audi's flagship has been re-launched for 2011, and it's a magnificent tour de force of performance, luxury, refinement and cutting-edge technology. Full story...

It will be some time before Team Lotus has its own wind tunnel up and running, technical boss Mike Gascoyne has admitted. Full story...

Sergio Perez's last chance at F1; Fernando Alonso not scared by Sebastian Vettel rumours; Force India drivers' faith least than certain Full story...

Eight-time Dakar winner truck team Kamaz may miss the event due to airport chaos in Europe. Full story...

Mirror, a British online tabloid, has published the results of a study on actual vs. advertized fuel efficiency. According to the site, green cars are 25% less fuel efficient than what the automakers promise, which is rather surprising. Full story...

Mazda still hasn't released the official pricing on its 2011 MAZDASPEED3, but its MSRP will likely be reduced so it can hold its own against the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart. Full story...

Every year or so, Auto123.com as well as a handful of journalists get invited by Transport Canada to participate and comment on their eTV program, previously known as the Advanced Technology Vehicle Program. Over the years, we've tested some very interesting cars; some of which have made it to our market and others that never came. For your reading pleasure, we've put together a short list of some of our favourites. Full story...

This is no secret: China is the auto industry's equivalent of the Eldorado. Every major car maker - from Volkswagen to BMW, GM and Ford - knows that financial success goes through this exploding market. They've invested massively to make sure they get their share of the cake. But what exactly does the future hold for the automobile in China? Full story...

Good news for Volvo fans! The Swedish automaker known for its world-class safety technology will hire 200 workers in Sweden through March to meet an expected rise in demand. Full story...

The well-known rapper and host of MTV's Pimp My Ride is a hair's breadth away from filing for bankruptcy - for the third time since 2009. According to The Detroit News, Alvin Joiner owes $959,523 in unpaid federal taxes. Full story...

OTTAWA, Ontario -- According to Stephen Beatty, Managing Director, Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI), if you have to deal with the pain and suffering of a major challenge, you might as well learn something from it. In other words, don't let a good crisis go to waste. Full story...

Ferrari's 2011 chassis has passed a sequence of crucial crash tests, according to Italian media reports. Full story...

Petter Solberg is not sure to secure a WRC seat for 2011, and is looking for other possibilites, including the World Touring Car Championship. Full story...

Despite eight-straight NASCAR Sprint Cup manufacturers titles, Chevrolet has to justify its' racing program more than ever. Full story...

After a 25 percent jump in revenue in 2010, Ford Motor Co. expects to increase its Quick Lane store count and revenue by double-digit percentages next year. Full story...

Volvo plans to hire 200 workers in Sweden through March to meet an expected rise in demand, a spokesman said. Volvo, acquired from Ford Motor Co. in August by China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Full story...