Auto News 5

Somewhere in Southern California, a hard-working guy made a little money and started buying some cars, trucks and automotive memorabilia that he liked. Full story...

German-based engineering specialist Xenatec has announced plans for an exclusive new Maybach coupe to rival the Bentley Brooklands and the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe. Full story...

Opel/Vauxhall has confirmed today (21 May) the loss of around 8,000 jobs across its European sites as it launched moves designed to return the company to profitability. Full story...

The newly appointed chairman of Japan's automaker group has voiced concern over prospects for a full-fledged recovery in global auto sales due to economic uncertainties stemming from Europe's sovereign debt crisis. Full story...

President Barack Obama today directed the government to start work on a national policy to raise fuel efficiency and emissions standards for cars and large trucks alike to curb pollution and reduce oil imports. Full story...

To rectify our public transport mess – and stop people being stranded by volcanic ash and industrial action – we need a purpose-built 25-mile car-only tunnel between Dover and Calais. Full story...

Restructuring and a range of products set to benefit from tighter emission controls around the world have hauled supplier Tenneco back from the edge of bankruptcy to book profits in three consecutive quarters. Full story...

Honda Motor suspended operations for a day at two Thailand factories making cars and motorcycles due to the violent political turmoil that has engulfed Bangkok, a company official said. Full story...

Ford has announced plans to survey 35 top global suppliers on their energy use and estimated greenhouse gas emissions in a bid to better understand the carbon footprint of its supply chain. Full story...

German firm Xentac reveals plans to transform the mighty Maybach 57S limo into a sporty 2-door coupe.

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Nissan said a lower U.S. price for its Leaf hatchback compared with Japan and Europe reflects differences in local taxes and incentives and that the vehicle will eventually make money in all markets. Full story...

Toyota is confident that its electronic throttles are sound and not behind instances of unintended acceleration that led to huge recalls and lawsuits, the company's US sales president said. Full story...

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) is to plough US$50m into high performance electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla Motors. Full story...

Opel is close to agreement with unions on a restructuring plan that Opel has been trying for months to finalise, sources close to the talks said on Friday. Full story...

CS400 sees return of legendary performance name to road cars, cutting-edge 395bhp hatch looks to F1 for inspiration and rivals 911 for pace Full story...

The former General Motors/Toyota joint venture factory in Fremont, California, once known as NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing Inc) and closed in April, is to build cars again. Tesla Motors has purchased the factory to build the Model S sedan and future vehicles. The EV maker also announced cooperation with Toyota on the development of electric vehicles, parts, and production system and engineering support. Full story...

Two new M cars set to debut at Pebble Beach in August ahead of November on sale date.

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Rising van sales in Europe underline a recovery in small businesses and provide hope for auto groups worried about the end of scrappage schemes that rescued passenger car sales when the sector was in a slump. Full story...

AvtoVAZ has recommended paying no dividends for 2009. The decision followed a similar move in 2008 by Russia's largest automaker. Full story...

At a recent 'EV Battery Tech 2010' conference held in London, the proceedings looked beyond prospects for electric vehicles themselves to consider issues associated specifically with batteries. These included their technology, cost, ease of manufacturing, raw material supply and recycling. Ian Henry was there to report for just-auto. This is the first of a two-part article (part two to be published on Monday, May 24). Full story...