Auto News 5

General Motors Co. will build 10,000 Chevrolet Volts by the end of 2011 and 30,000 more in 2012, said Tony DiSalle, marketing director for the Volt. Full story...

Driven by new products, about half of European brands outpaced the U.S. market's 14 percent sales gain in June. Smart continued to stagger, with sales of the ForTwo micro car down 48 percent for the month and 61 percent for the first half. Full story...

U.S. light-vehicle sales rose 14 percent in June, with major automakers posting some of their smallest gains of the year amid signs of sagging consumer confidence and a cloudier economic outlook. Ford Motor Co.' Full story...

Mazda Motor Corp. expects to sell 20,000 to 30,000 of the redesigned Mazda5 minivans in the United States annually when it reaches the market in January. Mazda sold 18,488 Mazda5s in the United States last year, down 16 percent from 2008. Full story...

In the second such case, Deland Dodge of Deland, Fla., asked a state court to confirm the arbitration order that the dealer be added to the automaker's retail network. Full story...

With stylish, eye-catching design, exclusive appointments and cutting-edge technology, the extensively updated 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class underscores its flagship position in the world of refined automobiles. Powered by a new 429-hp V8 biturbo engine which achieves a 10-15% improvement in fuel economy and 23% improvement in CO2 emissions, the CL550 4MATIC opens a new dimension of efficiency in the luxury coupe segment. Full story...

Relive your childhood dreams of playing with a life-sized Scalextric track on the Mazda stand at this weekend's Goodwood Festival of Speed (1-4th July) which features 20 years of Mazda MX-5. This year, Goodwood Festival of Speed has added a Moving Motor Show day on Thursday where visitors have the chance to drive cars up the famous Hill climb. Mazda will have the Mazda MX-5 road car available for visitors to drive as well as passenger rides in the MX-5 race car. Held in the grounds of Lord March's Goodwood estate in Sussex the event has become the world's largest celebration of motoring culture. Full story...

Audi is adding another model to its R8 high-performance sports car lineup: Hot on the heels of the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro comes another model with a V8 engine. The 4.2-liter FSI produces 430 hp and launches the open-top two-seater to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 299 km/h. The engine is mated to the R tronic sequential manual gearbox; quattro permanent all-wheel drive is standard. Full story...

Montreal -- Canadians will soon be driving electric cars. That's a fact. Some major automakers are about to launch them on the market, starting with Mitsubishi's i-MiEV and Nissan's Leaf. They will grace showrooms alongside conventionally-powered models by 2011 or 2012. Full story...

I don't know how to describe the 2010 Dodge Journey. Really, I have no idea. Nada, zilch. I'm not saying the vehicle isn't worth your hard-earned money; it's just the genre that gives me trouble. Of course, the Journey merely reflects the hot new trend in the auto industry, where car platforms multiply like rabbits and adopt multiple purposes. This particular one embodies the brand's testosterone-infused attitude and styling yet incorporates a versatile, family-friendly layout, making it some sort of crossover van or wagon. Plus, the Journey shares its architecture with a small midsize sedan, the Chrysler Sebring, and therefore delivers car-like driving dynamics. Full story...

Women know how to surprise men, especially in the heavily male-dominated auto industry. The lady behind the all-new 2010 Acura ZDX is the lovely Michelle Christensen, 28. Her sketches made such a strong impression on Honda executives that, for once, the production model looks virtually identical to the concept. Full story...

Martin Whitmarsh has backed the FIA's decision to take no action against Fernando Alonso. Full story...

Timo Glock has admitted he is keeping his "eyes open" as the 2011 driver market unfolds. Full story...

Nico Rosberg has described the W01 as a "disaster", as Mercedes moves closer to abandoning development of its 2010 car. Full story...

Two weeks after a boat crash in his native Finland, former F1 driver JJ Lehto has told police he has no memory of the incident. Full story...

Magny Cours' new boss is positioning the French circuit for a possible return to the formula one calendar. Full story...

Michelin is "disappointed" with F1's decision to snub its proposal to return to formula one in 2011. Full story...

Whether it was the extra horsepower, gained from the larger restrictor plate, the return of the spoiler or just the bumpy surface of the 2.5 mile Daytona International Speedway there was mayhem on the Super Speedway. Full story...

Changes to the layout of Valencia's street circuit could be made prior to F1's return next year. Full story...

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) and Mercedes-Benz are offering you the chance to test-drive the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG - virtually - via Gran Turismo®5 for PlayStation®3 (PS3(tm)). Racing fans and visitors to Mercedes-Benz World, Weybridge, Surrey, can experience an exclusive taster of the forthcoming title: a one-track demo on the Nürburgring's challenging 14-mile Nordschleife circuit at the wheel of a stunning, virtually-rendered SLS AMG, on a specially installed PS3. If you've ever wondered how it would feel to get behind the wheel of this gull-winged supercar, this is your chance to see the real thing in store, sit in an actual SLS AMG seat, and experience first-hand what it could be like to put the pedal to the metal in this awesome car. Full story...