Auto News 5

VW Group CEO Martin Winterkorn wants to cut costs and boost profits further as part of its mission to rise to the top of the automotive world by 2018 with global vehicle sales of more than 10 million units and a profit margin of more than 8 percent.

Toyota aims to make hybrid drivetrain components in the United States and elsewhere overseas within four years, after years of reserving production of those high-tech parts for its Japanese plants.

Maserati's new sport-utility vehicle was one of the most sought-after models at the Frankfurt car show this week and Ferrari SpA predicted record sales as executives said ultra-luxury remains recession-proof.

GM agreed to add jobs, hike Tier 2 wages, and offer buyouts for skilled trades workers under a tentative, 4-year labor pact reached late Friday with the UAW. The deal covers about 48,000 workers.

The UAW and GM agreed late Friday on a tentative labor agreement covering wages and benefits for 48,000 workers.

Narain Karthikeyan will warm up with a Friday practice session in Singapore before racing in his native India next month, HRT announced on Saturday.

Ganassi's Scott Dixon has beaten Will Power (Penske) to earn pole position for the IndyCar Series' Motegi round. This marks only the second time all year that Power has been beaten to pole on a road course.

Jon Fogarty took pole during the EMCO Gears Classis, Grand-Am's 2011 finale, in the Rolex Sports Car series. James Gue also claimed pole position, but in the Continental Tire Sports Car Series, according to Grand-Am's website.

Ganassi's Scott Dixon has beaten Will Power (Penske) to earn pole position for the IndyCar Series' Motegi round. This marks only the second time all year that Power has been beaten to pole on a road course.

Miguel Molina (Audi A4) takes his first DTM pole in Oschersleben by leading Canadian Bruno Spengler (Mercedes Classe C) by only one thousand of a second.

Jean-Eric Vergne wins race 1 at Paul Ricard after he started from pole position. Championship leader Robert Wickens takes 3rd position.

Guy Smith grabbed the pole at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca (Monterey, CA), aboard his Mazda-powered Lola coupe, during Saturday qualifying of the ModSpace American Le Mans Monterey, according to ALMS's website.

Michael Shank Racing (MSR) is expected to announce in the upcoming days that it will join the IZOD Indycar Series in 2012, still maintaining its successful program in Grand-Am

Available from 2006 to 2010, the "E60" generation of the BMW M5 offered up a potent and high-revving, 5.0-litre V10 engine with 500 horsepower, a 7-speed SMG transmission and a slew of track-ready performance upgrades to handle the output of the most powerful factory 5 Series yet. All models were rear-wheel drive.

Toyo Tire Canada Inc. will release the latest addition to their winter passenger tire lineup this fall. Developed specifically for Canadian winters, the Observe GSi5 was designed to perform in snow, slush and icy conditions, while maintaining excellent wear life. It features Toyo Tires' latest development in Total Control Sipe Technology (TCST) and was created using a new winter compound made partially of environmentally-friendly material.

Last week I found out that the Discovery Channel was launching a new reality series called Carfellas, where a team of cameramen follows the trials and tribulations of Mikey D. and his boys Tommie and Mario as they deal with the day to day business of selling used cars.

Welcome to the very unglamourous world of the working stiff. He's the guy with plans to make his way up the corporate ladder, but for the moment he has to work for the man in order to pay the bills and finish up his edumacation.

2011-2012 Volkswagen Jetta (766 units) On certain vehicles, stainless steel exhaust tips, sold as over-the-counter accessories, can extend beyond the original length of the factory-installed exhaust pipes. Contact with warm exhaust tips could result in burn injuries.

Toyota announced pricing of the new Prius V and

Press days for the 2011 IAA, commonly known as the