Auto News 5

The folks at Mazda have every reason to smile right now. For 2009, they introduced the completely-redesigned Mazda6 sedan and, for 2010, the forecast calls for an avalanche of model updates. Both the CX-7 and CX-9 crossovers will be partially revamped. Same thing for the popular MX-5 roadster. However, the biggest news comes in small packages, namely the next-generation Mazda3 and Mazda3 Sport. Full story...

MISSISSAUGA, ON (April 27, 2009) - As Nissan enters its 2009 fiscal year, the company has introduced a new management and operational structure for the Americas designed to capitalize on synergies across the region while focusing on individual market and consumer needs. Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the newly reconfigured Management Committee-Americas, described the integrated plan for growth in the region as a renewed commitment to delighting customers with innovative ideas for the joy of everyday driving. Full story...

James Stewart (Yamaha) won his 11th AMA SX race of 2009 in front of more than 40,000 fans, and builds on his lead in the championship. Arch-rival Chad Reed (Suzuki) hangs in there with another second place finish. Full story...

Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) took the second win of his MotoGP career at Motegi, beating polesitter and teammate Valentino Rossi as the manufacturer took a home one-two. Full story...

Ben Spies (Yamaha) won his fourth race of the season today at Essen by literally stealing it from leader Noriyuki Haga (Ducati) with an outstanding overtaking move just three corners from the chequered flag. But, unfortunately for Spies, things did not go as well in the second race when he fell on the second lap and the race was won by his eternal rival and championship leader Haga. Full story...

BMW-Sauber team boss Mario Theissen has refused to back Flavio Briatore's claim that FOTA is seeking a KERS ban for the 2010 season. Full story...

The first edition of the Enduro of Champions Pole-Position Speed HD indoor karting event was held April 25 at Kart-O-Mania, Montreal. Twelve teams entered in the grueling and exhausting six-hour race, including one from Auto123.com. Full story...

At a press conference held this morning in Detroit, General Motors announced that it will kill the Pontiac brand and reduce its US dealership network by half. An updated Viability Plan presented explains how GM "will accelerates the timeline for a number of important actions and makes deeper cuts in several key areas of it's operations." Full story...

General Motors of Canada will follow the lead of the US branch by reducing the number of dealerships across the country by 42 percent as several nameplates will be tossed aside. The announcement came earlier this morning. Full story...

At 9:08 a.m. this morning, the US 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Challenge team hit the 1,600-kilometer (1,000-mile) mark on a single tank of gas, and is continuing its ultimate fuel-efficiency challenge with nearly one-third of a tank of fuel remaining! Full story...

Christophe Tinseau's Pescarolo Judd set the best lap time of the two testing days of testing held at the Le Mans-Bugatti circuit, in Le Mans in preparation for the famed 24 Hours event. Full story...

Scott Dixon seems to have put behind him all the problems he had since the start of the 2009 IndyCar season to win the first oval race at Kansas Speedway where he dominated most of the event. Full story...

Chrysler Canada and the Canadian Auto Workers union have finally reached an agreement, ratified by the workers over the weekend. In all, 87% of Chrysler Canada's 8,000 workers accepted the measures put forth to allow the company to continue with its restructuring plan. Full story...

The folks at Mazda have every reason to smile right now. For 2009, they introduced the completely-redesigned Mazda6 sedan and, for 2010, the forecast calls for an avalanche of model updates. Both the CX-7 and CX-9 crossovers will be partially revamped. Same thing for the popular MX-5 roadster. However, the biggest news comes in small packages, namely the next-generation Mazda3 and Mazda3 Sport. Full story...

As McLaren's difficult season hit a high point with fourth place in Bahrain, Lewis Hamilton admitted he did consider throwing in the towel. Full story...

Rookie [link artid="106524"]Brad Keselowski[/link] (Chevy No 09) won his first ever Sprint Cup race at 19 years old in a very spectacular way. Full story...

The UAW said it reached a labor agreement with Chrysler LLC, Fiat S.p.A. and the U.S. Treasury Department. Full story...

The UAW said it reached a labor agreement with Chrysler LLC, Fiat S.p.A. and the U.S. Treasury Department. Full story...

General Motors is set to announce on Monday an accelerated restructuring that would close additional plants and pave the way for a debt exchange by the struggling automaker, sources briefed on the plan said today. Full story...

There has been some progress in U.S. government-driven negotiations to save Chrysler LLC, according to a senior White House official, who on Sunday also did not rule out an attempt to complete the company's restructuring in bankruptcy. Full story...