Auto News 5

Ferdinand Piech, the chairman of Volkswagen and a member of the family that controls Porsche, has placed his personal fortune in two trusts that make it 'almost impossible' for heirs of Piech to sell his shares in Porsche AG. Full story...

An executive at Daimler AG's UK truck unit was arrested by police as part of a cartel probe by British antitrust regulators. Ian Jones, the head of the UK Mercedes-Benz truck division, was detained by police earlier this week. Full story...

Hyundai aims to boost its car sales in Russia by 27 percent to 75,000 units this year from a year earlier, with the launch of its flagship Sonata sedan in the fourth quarter Full story...

Volkswagen AG will decide on cooperation with GAZ Group by the end of the year, Volkswagen's general director for Russia said. Full story...

Audi is developing an extended-range electric vehicle that uses a rotary engine to recharge the batteries. The automaker is testing prototypes based on the A1 e-tron concept, which debuted in March at the Geneva auto show. Full story...

This year's Paris auto show will mark the start of the electric-vehicle era as global automakers unveil EVs aimed at the mass market. Full story...

Modena, September 20, 2010. The new Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale will be the fastest, lightest and most powerful car in the Maserati range when it goes on sale in the first quarter of 2011. Full story...

Paul di Resta has a "good chance" of moving into formula one sooner rather than later. Full story...

It's all your fault. It's because of wealthy people like you that luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz builds high-dollar supercars like the new SLS AMG. What are we normal people supposed to do? Do you really think printing a picture of the car with the sentence "my new goal in life" and sticking it on the fridge enough for us? Full story...

Ten days ahead of the official unveil at the Paris Motor Show the sun starts to rise for the dawn of Lotus' new era - the Elite will redefine "modern classic". So here it is, the Lotus Elite, the first taste of what's to come from Lotus in the future. Look up elegant in the dictionary and you'll find variations on the following 1. dignified grace in appearance, movement, or behaviour, 2. superb taste in design, style and 3. something elegant; the ultimate refinement. Full story...

Stefan GP pulled out of the running for the 13th team entry for 2011 because the FIA's selection process was too slow. Full story...

Romain Grosjean has admitted he is hoping to be appointed the full-time replacement for departed Pirelli tyre tester Nick Heidfeld. Full story...

Hispania Racing Team boss Colin Kolles has played down paddock rumours that the Spanish team is on the verge of collapse. Full story...

Former Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen won his first rally ever, the Rallye Vosgien, an event he competed in to prepare himself for the tarmac roads of the Rallye de France. Full story...

Kimi Raikkonen's interest in driving for Renault next year is "flattering", team boss Eric Boullier has admitted. Full story...

DJ Kennington won the Komatsu 300 presented at the Riverside International Speedway in Nova Scotia and took over the lead atop the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series championship. Full story...

Red Bull Racing Team's Scott Speed shows passengers what it's like to drive a NASCAR through the streets of Chicago. Full story...

Sauber Motorsport Formula 1 team has signed up the 19-year-old Mexican Esteban Gutièrrez as its Formula 1 test and reserve driver for 2011. Full story...

The No.1 Vitaphone Maserati of Andrea Bertolini and Michael Bartels won the championship-deciding race after a nail-biting finish in Portimao. Full story...

It'll attack Canadian roads later this month. The boxy xB is Scion's iconic and most recognizable product to date. Eight years after their launch in the US, Toyota has finally decided that the stars have aligned, and they point north. The xB is a remarkably interesting vehicle, which can serve as a rolling expression of one's self, thanks to the availability of no less than 75 dealer-installed customizing accessories. Whether personalized or not, the xB isn't short on practicality, space and delightful driving dynamics. Full story...