Auto News 5

Sir Richard Branson left Abu Dhabi on Sunday with an AirAsia stewardess uniform in his luggage. Full story...

SAN FRANCISCO - Site of the most famous car chase scene in cinematic history, San Francisco's rolling streets were a fitting reminder of the potent legacy established by the 1968 Dodge Charger R/T squatting on the pier before us. Full story...

Dietrich Mateschitz has rejected suggestions Red Bull's race strategy for Mark Webber on Sunday was a plot to mislead Ferrari and favour Sebastian Vettel for the title. Full story...

Who here has never dreamed of taking a luxury car on a road trip, enjoying the sights and sounds of the engine revving on the most beautiful roads in the World? I know myself and everyone here at Auto123 would give everything they have to do this, and one lucky son of a gun just did it! Full story...

As the world was awaiting confirmation of a deal for the 2011 Formula 1 season between the Hispania Racing Team and Toyota Motorsport on Monday, a media statement issued by Toyota says that the deal has collapsed over unpaid bills. Full story...

AirAsia owner Tony Fernandes on Monday admitted he is not ruling out a name change for his formula one team in 2011, named Lotus Racing this season. Full story...

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel is the new FIA Formula 1 World Champion, and the youngest in history, after a fascinating Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Full story...

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel is the new FIA Formula 1 World Champion, and the youngest in history, after a fascinating Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Full story...

The AT&T Williams Formula 1 team on Monday announced that German driver Nico Hulkenberg was leaving the British team. Full story...

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- The Chrysler Brand is experiencing a rejuvenation, and product is at the heart of it, replacing its full lineup with either all-new or significantly improved vehicles in just the next few months. As a sign of that change, the recently introduced all-new Chrysler winged badge logo will rightfully adorn all this new metal as it rolls out to the public. Full story...

Carl Edwards ended a 70-race winless drought while the NASCAR points' race closed up setting up a Formula One-like Abu-Dhabi-like three-way finale next week in Homestead. Full story...

Sergio Perez and Davide Valsecchi captured a win each in the last rounds of the GP2 season in Abu Dhabi, while Rappax clinched the teams' title. Full story...

SONOMA, California - From the utilitarian, Dakota-based SUV of the nineties to the ungainly bloat of the second generation Ram lookalike, the Dodge Durango emerges for 2011 as a balanced, nicely designed premium crossover with a surprisingly well-crafted interior. Full story...

Davide Valsecchi is the final piece of the puzzle ahead of this week's young driver testing in Abu Dhabi. Full story...

After a double championship defeat to Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel in 2010, Lewis Hamilton insists he is not tempted to switch to the energy drink-owned team. Full story...

Los Angeles, CA - The world's first all-wheel drive crossover convertible, delivers the open-air exhilaration of a convertible while extending the versatility of the Murano in exciting new ways. With room for four adults, space for golf bags or luggage (even with the top down), and a premium level interior, the Murano CrossCabriolet represents a breakthrough in concept and design. Set to go on sale in early 2011. Full story...

A factory-owned Chrysler dealership in downtown Los Angeles will be the automaker's first store to sell Fiat-brand vehicles in the United States when it opens its doors the first week in January. Full story...

Ford of Europe's chairman and CEO Stephen Odell tells just-auto that he is relishing his return to Europe, happy with Ford's prospects, but concerned with industry overcapacity in the region. Full story...

China's SAIC Motor has reached a deal in principle to take a stake in GM if Chinese regulators approve the deal that would deepen an existing alliance between the two automakers, a person familiar with the matter said. Full story...

Nissan's curious approach to crossovers--as in a convertible--will be revealed on Wednesday at the Los Angeles auto show, and a teaser shot of the open-top car was released on Sunday afternoon. Full story...