Auto News 5

Fisker Automotive Inc. has begun making the $88,000 Karma plug-in car, aiming to get its first production vehicles to U.S. and European dealers by next month.

Fisker has begun making the Karma plug-in hybrid, aiming to get its first production vehicles to U.S. and European dealers by next month.

New look XF ready to take on mainstream premium rivals in Europe with downsized diesel engine.

Continuing nuclear contamination fears are prompting Japanese automakers to "take all measures required," although nothing concrete has yet been established.

Japan's nuclear crisis appeared far from over as Reuters reported rising temperatures around the core of one of the reactors at Japan's quake-crippled Daiichi nuclear power plant in Fukushima prefecture had sparked new concern on Tuesday and more water was needed to cool it down, suggesting the battle to avert a disastrous meltdown and stop the spread of radiation was far from won. Meanwhile, Toyota and Honda again postponed vehicle production restarts to Sunday (27 March), Mitsubishi is uncertain beyond Friday (25 March) and consultants Frost & Sullivan described the effect on the global auto industry as "profound".

Japan's nuclear crisis appeared far from over as Reuters reported that smoke and steam rose from two of the most threatening reactors at the 'quake-crippled nuclear Daiichi plant in Fukushima prefecture on Tuesday (21 March 2011), suggesting the battle to avert a disastrous meltdown and stop the spread of radiation was far from won. Meanwhile, Toyota and Honda again postponed vehicle production restarts to Sunday (27 March), Mitsubishi is uncertain beyond Friday (25 March) and consultants Frost & Sullivan described the effect on the global auto industry as "profound".

Japan's nuclear crisis appeared far from over as news agencies reported that smoke and steam rose from two of the most threatening reactors at the 'quake-crippled nuclear Daiichi plant in Fukushima prefecture on Tuesday (21 March 2011), suggesting the battle to avert a disastrous meltdown and stop the spread of radiation was far from won. Meanwhile, Toyota and Honda again postponed vehicle production restarts to Sunday (27 March) and consultants Frost & Sullivan described the effect on the global auto industry as "profound".

New vehicle sales in Malaysia amounted to 40,387 units in February, largely unchanged from the 40,654 units sold a year earlier, according to data released by the Malaysia Automotive Association (MAA).

Lifan is now building its complete lineup of sedans at its assembly plant in Russia after adding output of the Lifan 320 small car earlier this month. The Lifan 320 is a hatchback that resembles the BMW Mini.

Toyota Motor Corp. has delayed the Japan launch of its new wagon-style Prius wagon in the wake of the parts shortage triggered by this month's earthquake.

Porsche has started taking orders for its 918 Spyder hybrid sports car, its most expensive model ever, which will will sell in Europe for 768,062 euros.

There was further evidence of what might turn out to be a major strategic shift in the way some automakers do business earlier this week when a top BMW executive said the carmaker "is no longer just an auto company."

The services of Sergio Perez was rolled into the major sponsorship offered by Mexican communications giant Telmex.

Race cars and girls go well together. The Formula 1 paddocks used to be filled with beautiful women a few decades ago. There are sadly less girls hanging around the F1 cars today but the photographers of WRI2 have made a good job of snapping the most attractive of them. Enjoy our Top 10 stunning girls in motorsport and Formula 1 racing.

Payback is a treasured tradition in NASCAR racing. When a driver is wronged he has to hit back to balance the scales of stock car justice.

Rumours about Jaguar's next entry-level sedan have been flying since the Geneva Motor Show. Many thought Bertone's B99 concept was a glimpse at the future model, but Jaguar quickly denied those claims earlier this month. Now, a Dutch web site, Auto Telegraaf, has postulated that the sedan will be named XS.

Here is the second of our series of daily Formula 1 features leading to the Grand Prix of Australia with the entries to this year's World Championship.

Chevrolet today revealed the Colorado Show Truck in advance of the Bangkok International Auto Show, where it is making its global public debut. The concept gives a pretty good idea of what the next-generation Colorado midsize pickup truck will look like.

Bernie Ecclestone is no longer travelling to Australia for this weekend's 2011 season opener.

Hispania Racing Team is straining under "major financial problems", a source at the team has told a specialist website.