Auto News 5

BMW will build its Grand Coupe concept car, the company's development chief Klaus Draeger said. The production Grand Coupe will rival luxury coupe-styled four-door cars such as the Mercedes CLS, Audi's upcoming A7 and the Porsche Panamera. Full story...

BMW will build its Grand Coupe concept car, the company's development chief Klaus Draeger said. The production Grand Coupe will rival luxury coupe-styled four-door cars such as the Mercedes CLS, Audi's upcoming A7 and the Porsche Panamera. Full story...

German suppliers provide key parts for the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG's most noticeable feature: its gullwing doors. Spring specialist Scherdel GmbH of Germany provides the support system needed for the smooth opening and closing of the doors. Full story...

Porsche Cars North America has appointed Thierry Kartochian as executive vice president and CFO. Full story...

General Motors Co. is preparing to report second-quarter results that will show a substantial gain over the first quarter in a report it will use to bolster its bid to return to capital markets and pay back taxpayers. Full story...

Officials of Hermann Tilke's German company are beginning to arrive in Austin to begin work at the site of the 2012 United States grand prix. Full story...

Vision Racing driver Ed Carpenter, who took part in this year Indianapolis 500 along with will be back in action for the three domestic oval races remaining on the IZOD IndyCar Series schedule. Full story...

Penske's Will Power won the inaugural Mario Andretti Road Course Trophy last week-end after finishing runner-up in the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. Full story...

Bruno Senna is confident he will not fall off the formula one grid after a single season. Full story...

Canadian Patrick Carpentier, a former ChampCar and IndyCar racer, will be back behind the wheel of a Sprint Cup car this weekend at Michigan International Speedway. Full story...

Joan Villadelprat is eager for the FIA to make its decision about the identity of F1's thirteenth team for 2011. Full story...

Daimler's promotion of Annette Winkler to run its Smart brand was not only a significant victory for women in a male-dominated industry, it was another indication that Germany has emerged from the dark ages when it comes to gender equality. Full story...

The current trend of power-retractable hardtop convertibles has its advantages and its inconveniences. The advantage is that you can enjoy a year-round, better-insulated and more durable convertible, but on the other hand, that clamshell top flips, folds and sandwiches itself in the trunk, cutting in on available space. Full story...

FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Nissan North America, Inc. today announced that it will continue its year-long celebration of the 40th anniversary of the icon Nissan Z® with a display of historic Z® racers at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, August 12 - 15 at Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, Calif. Full story...

Affalterbach - Interested teams can now order the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3. The gullwing model for the racetrack is being delivered on time for the coming motorsport season, starting in February 2011. The sales price is E334,000(net) / E397,460 (incl. 19% VAT). Developed in accordance with the GT3 regulations of the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile), the SLS AMG GT3 is designed as a customer sports car for sprint and endurance races. Full story...

Earlier this summer NASCAR's Brian France told reporters to expect "impactful changes" to the 2011 racing schedule. Full story...

Formula One Group CEO Bernie Ecclestone and Tavo Hellmund, managing partner of Full Throttle Productions talked about the first US Grand Prix to be held in Austin, Texas. Full story...

Richard Childress Racing is returning to a four-car Sprint Cup team next year with driver Paul Menard. Full story...

Porsche Cars North America has appointed Thierry Kartochian as executive vice president and CFO. Full story...

Brakes weren't applied by drivers of Toyota vehicles in at least 35 of 58 crashes blamed on unintended acceleration, U.S. auto-safety regulators said after studying data recorders. Full story...