Auto News 5

Dan Akerson turned on the charm last week during what he acknowledged was his first major public speech since becoming CEO of General Motors Co. on Sept. 1. Full story...

Lindsay Chappell, mid-South bureau chief at Automotive News Europe sister publication Automotive News, reviews some of what he liked and didn't like at the 2011 Detroit auto show. Full story...

Government mandates are more likely than consumer desires to force automakers' hands in alternative-fuels development, a top BMW executive said. Full story...

Mazda will unveil the Minagi compact crossover concept at the Geneva auto show in March. The concept will showcase the automaker's new design theme, which it calls Kodo, or "Soul of Motion." Full story...

Who's putting the juice into vehicle electrification? On June 13, Automotive News Europe sister publication Automotive News will publish The Electrifying 100, a special section listing the most influential players in the move to... Full story...

Herbert Kohler, Daimler's head of future mobility and advanced engineering, confirmed that future AMG models from Mercedes-Benz would be available with hybrid technology in order to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Full story...

Mazda released the first few pictures of the MINAGI Concept, which is rumoured to become the Japanese company's future compact CUV, the CX-5. The vehicle will debut at the 81st Geneva Motor Show as the forerunner to the launch of Mazda's upcoming next-generation products. It also symbolizes the evolution of the Mazda brand. Full story...

Pirelli's 2011 tyres are "very different" to the Bridgestones of last year and should contribute to "more interesting" races. Full story...

With its T.27, a diminutive, 100% electric city runabout, Gordon Murray Design has accomplished a major breakthrough in automotive safety. When submitted to a high-speed frontal impact crash test, the T.27 came out with a nearly intact cabin suffering zero intrusion. Full story...

Reigning Intercontinental Rally Challenge's champion Juho Hanninen (Skoda Fabia) stands on top of the provisional standings of the prestigious Rally Monte-Carlo after the first day of competition. Full story...

China's date on the 2011 world championship calendar will remain provisional until mere weeks before the scheduled race in mid April. Full story...

Once in a while, it's important to take a step back from the product, however impressive, and soak in how the brand itself is presenting itself. In the past year or two, some makes have made huge efforts in their displays and booths. Full story...

Ever wanted to read the newspaper or stretch your legs while driving on the highway? Well, it now seems closer to reality than fiction. The first vehicle platooning tests were performed by Volvo in Sweden and the automaker is reporting a success. Full story...

MONT TREMBLANT, Quebec - Chances are, the most arduous duty the new Audi A7 Sportback will face is the occasional slippery on-ramp. The majority of its well-heeled drivers, gliding home through tree-lined boulevards, will be blissfully unaware of the technology underpinning its sleek frame. Full story...

Family-oriented crossover shoppers take note: this review isn't for you. Every time this writer drives a crossover, he has to pretend he has a wife, 2.2 kids, a 9 to 5 job and weekly duties including soccer practice, visits to Costco, trips to Home Depot and family outings to places like parks and pools. Full story...

Detroit, Michigan - Could a Falcon succeed to the Viper and become America's newest supercar? That may well be the dream nurtured by Jeff and Carl Lemke, co-founders of Mach 7 Motorsports. This offshoot of AP Engineering (for Advance Propeller Engineering Inc.), a well-known aftermarket consumer supplier of Dodge Viper components based in Holly, Michigan, unveiled their first in-house creation last week at the Detroit Auto Show : the Falcon. Full story...

Here's a short video of the launch of the new Le Mans car produced by German manufacturer Audi, the stunning turbo diesel R18. Full story...

Porsche's outgoing chief of R&D, Wolfgang Durheimer, confirmed that the German automaker is developing a four-cylinder engine that will power their next roadster and possibly the Boxster and Cayman. Full story...

Perceived as the minivan of the future, the Kia KV7 Concept Kia has not gone unnoticed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. With its butterfly doors, lounge area inside and allowing all occupants to surf the web using their smartphones, the South-Korean engineers really pushed the envelope on this one. Full story...

On April 10th, the start signal for the new DTM season will be given in Wiesbaden, Germany. Full story...