Auto News 5

ThyssenKrupp, Germany's No. 1 steelmaker and a major supplier to the auto industry, has approved a controversial restructuring plan that it said would make the company leaner and better prepared to weather the global economic crisis. Full story...

Race four of seventeen takes place this week end at the Circuit Bugatti, near Le Mans, France. Full story...

Lincoln is offering full-size luxury crossover customers a fresh new choice with the 2010 Lincoln MKT, a three-row crossover that delivers the optimal blend of distinctive design, interior spaciousness, fuel economy and technology. Full story...

The results of the 2009 J.D. Power and Associates Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction(SM) study are in and Michelin ranks highest in OE Tire Customer Satisfaction for Luxury Vehicles; Passenger Cars; and Truck/Utility Vehicles. Full story...

Although NASCAR is still the most watched sport in the US market, a steady decline in ratings for NASCAR on Fox has officials researching why the audience is steadily shrinking and what can be done to reverse the trend. Full story...

Style, technology and power. With the addition of the all-new EcoBoost(tm) engine, the new 2010 Lincoln MKS delivers the luxury and comfort standards unique to Lincoln with a powertrain that produces a compelling combination of V-8 power and V-6 fuel economy. Full story...

Patrick Carpentier will be back in action behind the wheel of the SK Motorsports' Toyota for the upcoming Nationwide Race to be held at the Lowe Motor Speedway on May 23rd. Full story...

Renault's Flavio Briatore on Thursday played down speculation that leading formula one teams are shaping up to split with formula one to set up a rival 'breakaway' championship. Full story...

Mike Gascoyne's desire to return to formula one was confirmed on Thursday, when a UK-based F3 team announced its intention to apply to enter a budget-capped outfit next year. Full story...

While more and more information keep coming about Chrysler closing 789 dealerships in the United States by June 9, 2009, it looks like Canada will be spared and retain all three corporate brands -- Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge. Full story...

Automotive News got a copy of a memo from Chrysler that reportedly confirms the elimination of 789 dealers in the United States by June 9, 2009. The decision will be made official in the upcoming days. As we speak, phased-out dealers are receiving a letter of confirmation. Full story...

There will be a lot of action coming this weekend at the Lowe Motor Speedway as twenty one of NASCAR's top drivers will battle it up in the classic Sprint All-Star race. Full story...

The Governor of the State of Tennessee, Phil Bredesen, and Professor Dr. Jochem Heizmann, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG with responsibility for 'Group Production', will be joined today, Thursday (2.00 p.m. local time), by invited guests to celebrate the erection of the first wall at the new US factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The plant represents a major milestone for the Volkswagen Group in attaining its ambitious growth targets for the North American market. Full story...

British car manufacturer Bentley has taken another step in delivering its class-leading environmental strategy. Bentley now guarantees 85 % recyclability (or 95 % recoverability) of materials for all its current Continental models, becoming one of the first carmakers in the luxury vehicle bracket to take such a step as well as providing environmental friendly recycling or recovery at the end of the car's life. Full story...

FIA president Max Mosley's meeting with the Formula 1 teams alliance FOTA has been set for Friday, May 15. Full story...

Officials of Formula 1's governing body - the FIA - insist they have not been swayed by the threats of leading formula one teams. Full story...

On the face of it, Ferrari's race drivers fully support the Scuderia's threat to quit formula one at the end of the season. Full story...

A principal of the prospective American F1 team entry has revealed that the first test car could be up and running as early as November. Full story...

Audi blazes trails in the discipline of mechatronics. This year the Association of German Engineers (VDI) has presented the inaugural Award for Mechatronic Innovation for Audi's dynamic steering, which handsomely demonstrates the innovation potential offered by the intelligent combination of mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, and computer science. Full story...

With environmentalists recently expressing their strong disappointment regarding the "Cash for Clunkers" compromise legislation, it is not good news to learn that Congress is set to establish a loophole that allows widespread public access for individuals to bid on "clunker" vehicles that are supposed to be retired under the program. The proposal being circulated by House lawmakers would allow salvage auctions to process these vehicles, a dangerous move that opens the door for criminal activity from the resale of the retired cars to the public. Full story...