Auto News 5

Since January 17, 2010, marks the return of compulsory lessons for those wishing to obtain a passenger vehicle driver's licence. The course content has also been renewed. The requirement to take driving lessons in order to obtain a probationary licence had been abolished on July 1, 1997, after having been in effect since 1983. Motorcycle driving courses, meanwhile, were once again made compulsory in 2001. Full story...

TORONTO, - Zipcar, Inc., the world's largest car-sharing service, and the City of Toronto will now provide city residents easier access to cost-effective, environmentally friendly transportation options by parking Zipcars on select city streets. A Toyota Matrix Zipcar named "Macall", the first of 11 total dedicated Zipcars to be parked across the city, is now available at the intersection of Harrison Garden Boulevard and Humberstone Drive. Full story...

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will premiere its ASX all-new compact crossover from Tuesday March 2, 2010 to Sunday March 14, 2010 at the 80th Geneva International Motor Show held at the Geneva Palexpo in Switzerland. Full story...

At the Montreal Auto Show last Thursday, Alexandre Tagliani unveiled "his" new IndyCar team. Full story...

The BMW Sauber team announced on Tuesday that they have hired veteran driver Pedro de la Rose to drive alongside Japanese rookie Kamui Kobayashi in the 2010 Formula 1 Championship. Full story...

Despite the fact that BMW left Formula 1 at the end of the 2009 season, the German car manufacturer has the firm intention to continue to develop the next generation of F1 stars with their European and Asian Formula BMW series. Full story...

A film charting the development of Honda's new, sporty hybrid coupe - the CR-Z - is now available. Full story...

The Formula 1 teams alliance FOTA on Tuesday confirmed reports that Martin Whitmarsh has succeeded Luca di Montezemolo as chairman. Full story...

Cosworth's return to the Formula 1 World Championship is set to be a key feature of the 2010 season. An agreement with AT&T Williams was made in September, recreating a championship-winning partnership dating back to 1977. Full story...

Beverly Hills, Calif., - Nominees, presenters and performers arriving to "The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards" will have an opportunity to help raise money for Haitian relief efforts with a simple signature. Full story...

Changes to BMW's iconic 3 series line bring more power and torque with lower fuel consumption and emissions while coupé and convertible have have had minor design changes and interior enhancements. The automaker is also adding a new 320d EfficientDynamics saloon to the revamped UK line due for launch in March, calling it the 'cleanest' ever 3 series. Full story...

Over 500 Dutch Saab fans toured part of the country at the weekend to support the Swedish brand, and one described the troubled automaker as the "Apple of the car industry". Full story...

The recently restructured 'new Opel/Vauxhall' unit of General Motors, based in Rüsselsheim, Germany, will use country-specific branding, streamline and cut costs, launch new models into new market niches and explore export opportunities outside Europe, CEO Nick Reilly told employees in a memo on Monday. Full story...

General Motors declined to comment on speculation today (18 January) that private investment firm Genii Capital could make a joint bid with Dutch sports carmaker for troubled Swedish subsidiary Saab. Full story...

Sharp-eyed reader catches new Golf rival on test in Italy.

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Kia's workers began a week of stoppages on Monday, the 20th year in a row that the South Korean carmaker has suffered industrial unrest. Full story...

Communication between the European Commission (EC) and French authorities is centring on "apparent contradictions" between two high-ranking industry politicians concerning subsidised auto loans. Full story...

Renault was at midday Monday not ruling out transferring more production of its Clio range to Turkey as speculation continued to grow over the weekend and earlier today over the future of its French and Turkish plants. Full story...

Toyota Motor Europe's sales in 2009 fell 20% year on year to 855,294 for the Toyota brand; Lexus sales were down 40% to 27,057, the company said in a statement. TME noted that sales were affected not just by shrinking markets in Europe but also by a number of model changes. Full story...

New vehicle registrations in Taiwan rose by 162.8% year-on-year in December to 44,977 units, according to data released by the Ministry of Transport, as buyers rushed into the market in anticipation of the year-end withdrawal of government subsidies. Full story...