Auto News 5

Falling demand for company cars dented automobile sales in the Czech Republic in the first three months of 2009, pushing new registrations down by an annual 16.4 percent, the country's Car Importers Association said. Full story...

Germany's Commerzbank is preparing to issue an offer document to a "handful" of potential investors in General Motors Opel unit, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing sources close to the automaker. Full story...

Germany's Commerzbank is preparing to issue an offer document to a "handful" of potential investors in General Motors Opel unit, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing sources close to the automaker. Full story...

Belarus is offering tax breaks to automakers willing to set up assembly plants in the ex-Soviet state. The Belarus government hopes ultimately to create a national automaking plant, Igor Rogozin, a senior government official said. Full story...

As Volkswagen AG nears a decision on where its Up mini-car family will be built, sources close to CEO Martin Winterkorn say that the company's Bratislava plant in Slovakia will get the nod. Full story...

Volkswagen AG will overtake U.S. rival General Motors this year to become the world's second-largest automaker by volume, market research company R.L. Polk Germany said on Monday. Full story...

Germany's Economy Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg plans to visit Abu Dhabi to explore the possibility of the Gulf emirate taking a stake in General Motors' German unit Opel, a newspaper said. Full story...

Volkswagen said on Monday that it does not plan to purchase assets from its majority shareholder Porsche Automobile SE to help fund Porsche's intended acquisition of a 75 percent stake in VW. Full story...

If you could pick one vehicle to serve as a metaphor for what General Motors is trying to do to make itself leaner, meaner and better positioned to fight off foreign competitors, it's the 2010 Cadillac SRX. Full story...

The all-new 2010 Honda Insight hybrid hatchback goes on sale on Earth Day, April 22, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $23,900 for the Insight LX. Full story...

The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, and the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade, today announced a pair of new measures to help boost consumer confidence in the auto industry. Full story...

Volkswagen Canada unveiled its BlueMotionTechnologies brand at this year's Vancouver International Auto Show (VIAS) as part of its ongoing sustainability efforts, and confirmed that Hybrid power train technology would be offered in Canada under this new umbrella brand in the future. Full story...

Miami, Florida - The massive shape of the Honda Element bothers you? The angular looks of the Scion xB repulse you? The fancy personality of the Kia Soul lights a fire inside you? Whether you like them or not, these boxes on wheels have managed to get everyone talking. In fact, their strikingly bold, contemporarily boxy styling has put the last nail in the coffin of retro vehicles. That's right: PT Cruisers and HHRs are yesterday's news! Full story...

Team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has been invited to appear before an extraordinary meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Paris on Wednesday, 29 April, 2009. Full story...

Michael Schumacher's manager Willi Weber admits it is "possible" the former seven-time world champion will finally part ways with Ferrari at the end of 2009. Full story...

Canadian NASCAR driver Patrick Carpentier will take part in the Nationwide NAPA 200 race in Montreal this coming August according to sources well informed. This would be the first race that Carpentier takes part in since he left Gillett-Everham last year. Full story...

IRVINE, Calif., April 6/ -- Fisker Automotive, Inc., a leading producer of advanced green technology automobiles, announced today it has entered into definitive agreements to receive an additional $85 million in venture capital funding for the development and manufacturing of its Karma plug-in hybrid automobiles. The financing is expected to be completed this month and will be the fourth and largest investment round since the company's inception in August 2007. Full story...

According to certain sources, the Brawn GP-Mercedes cars may have raced the Australian Grand Prix, opening round of the 2009 Formula 1 season, with a car fitted with illegal exhausts. Full story...

Although Dale Earnhardt Jr led once for six laps and used tire strategy to run in the top 10 in the latter stages of Sunday's Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, once again mistakes were made that ultimately cost the Chevrolet No 88 driver once again a top finish. Full story...

General Motors Corp. and Segway today demonstrated a new type of vehicle that could change the way we move around in cities. Full story...