Auto News 5

205mph run nets Bentley ice record. Celebratory special edition model coming to Geneva.

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said the alliance with Chrysler was crucial for the group's future and reiterated he aimed to keep a strong presence in Italy under a plan to boost productivity. Full story...

The financial crisis that had most of the world in its grip by the end of 2008 is now being reflected in the Brazilian spare parts market. Full story...

In June 2008, Delphi put its global exhaust systems business up for sale which consisted of mainly hot-end exhaust components, including design and manufacture of the front-end module with catalytic converters and exhaust manifolds. A few months later, Mexico's Bienes Turgon stepped forward to buy the business. Bienes Turgon officially took over operations on 1 May 2009 under the name, Katcon Global. In this interview, Matthew Beecham talked with Jose De Nigris, executive vice president, sales and engineering, Katcon Global, and Bob Houtschilt, vice president, business development, Katcon Global. Full story...

Italian government ministers remain confident they will receive the backing of all unions to sign a deal tomorrow [16 February] in Rome concerning the future strategy for Fiat's Termini Imerese plant in Sicily. Full story...

British Prime Minister David Cameron recently quipped publicly that if the Queen asked him to a party he'd say yes, but if the Italian Prime Minister asked him to a party it might be safer to say no. Full story...

Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller has decided to establish a new product strategy department as the carmaker seeks to expand its model lineup and more than double its unit sales. Full story...

Toyota will show an EV prototype of its iQ model at this year's Geneva auto show. The prototype will be tested on European roads this year, with a potential market introduction through a leasing program in 2012. Full story...

The Chicago auto show features a muscle-car showdown. In one corner is the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and in the other is the Dodge Charger SRT8. Full story...

Germany's big three carmakers, which have added about 67 billion euros ($90 billion) or 75% in market value since the end of the 2009, are poised for 2011 profits exceeding pre-financial crisis highs amid U.S. and Chinese demand. Full story...

Some VW diesel vehicles are under review by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration after reports of engines stalls, some at highway speed, that may be related to fuel-pump failures. Full story...

Volvo plans to stop selling the only wagon it sells in the U.S., the V50. American consumers have migrated from wagons to crossovers, said Doug Speck, CEO of Volvo Cars of North America. He did not give a timetable for discontinuing the V50. Full story...

After NASCAR Sprint Cup Cars, running in two-car drafts, reached speeds of 203mph on Friday and 206 in Saturday's Bud Shoot Out, NASCAR officials instituted a number of rules changes. Full story...

Some politicians and celebrities around the world are constantly facing death threats, which is why they need the most secure vehicles the industry has to offer. Audi will soon provide a new alternative with the launch of the long-wheelbase, high-security version of the A8 sedan. Full story...

Several reports of engine stalls have led the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to review model years 2009 and 2010 of the Volkswagen Jetta and Golf as well as the Audi A3 with TDI clean diesel engines for possible fuel pump failures. Full story...

Jon Olsson isn't just an extraordinary freestyle skier, he's also a fan of high-performance machines. He has impressed us with various personal projects, including a Nissan GT-R and Lamborghini Murciélago, which he poked and prodded so he could take them mountainside. Full story...

An anonymous source just revealed that the 2012 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 equipped with the new Pentastar V6 engine will receive an 8-speed automatic transmission developed by ZF. Full story...

Every time someone asks me for advice because they're shopping for a new or pre-owned vehicle, no one ever asks which is the safest car or truck they can buy. Price, reliability, after-sales service, interior space, handling and horsepower are among the main purchase criteria, while safety is but a very minor concern. Full story...

In Sunday's qualifying session at Daytona International Speedway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. edged Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon for the top starting spot in next Sunday's season-opening Daytona 500. Full story...

At the start of this season, a number of people were questioning whether or not the new generation of direct injection 1600cc turbo pocket rockets World Rally Cars would have what it takes to put on the show we've become accustomed to... Full story...