Auto News 5

Nissan raised its profit and global unit-sales forecasts after boosting net income by almost four times in the last quarter. Nissan expects a 270 billion yen ($3. Full story...

Toyota on Thursday announced a recall of almost 136,000 compact cars in Japan and Europe to fix a steering problem, the latest in a series of issues that have tarnished its once stellar reputation. Full story...

LA Show debut for new Subaru concept car designed to demonstrate "Confidence in Motion."

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Official VFACTS data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) showed that 80,925 passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles were sold in Australia October, up 0.1% (or 112 vehicles) on the same month in 2009. Full story...

General Motors says it has become the first global automaker to sell 2m vehicles in China in a single year. Full story...

XF gets a tweaked look with optional Black Pack wheels and gloss black trim.

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October was a much-needed shot in the arm for US light vehicle sales. Over the course of two days of reporting, there were new sales records and most automakers came in well ahead of last October. Full story...

October was a much-needed shot in the arm for US light vehicle sales. Over the course of two days of reporting, there were new sales records and most automakers came in well ahead of last October. Full story...

Volvo plans to hire a team of designers in China to appeal to more local buyers and help Volvo reposition itself as an upscale brand to take on BMW and Audi. Full story...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (SCEA) hosted its eighth annual Gran Turismo Awards at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show last night at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, celebrating automotive design excellence and showcasing the latest franchise offering, Gran Turismo 5. Each year, the Gran Turismo Awards offer SEMA show exhibitors the opportunity to join the ranks of the famed Gran Turismo racing franchise - one of the top-selling video game franchises of all time with more than 56 million units shipped worldwide - with a feature spot in a future Gran Turismo title. After reviewing more than 100 entries, the judging panel and Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi himself, crowned Best Hot Rod winner, Mark Stielow for his 1969 Chevy Camaro as the 2010 "Best in Show." 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...

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...

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 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...