Auto News 5

After admittedly losing its way for years, Mercedes-Benz says it has a new determination to make the customer king in dealerships. Full story...

Denny Hecker's associates describe him as brilliant, reckless and "larger than life," with a knack for making powerful friends who have pulled him out of many crises. But there may be no way for Hecker to wriggle out of the tight spot he's in now. Full story...

The federal government has joined automakers in a frantic scramble to keep suppliers alive. Full story...

A new U.S. stimulus program is loosening credit for car buyers. Last week the finance arms of Ford Motor Co. and Nissan North America sold $4.25 billion in bonds to fund consumer auto loans. Full story...

For more almost two decades, Ken Zangara was a good soldier for Chrysler. For many years he was the largest Dodge dealer in New Mexico, and he served a term as chairman of the Dodge National Dealer Council. Full story...

Here are profiles of six of the 25 finalists in the 2009 Automotive News PACE Awards. Full story...

The future of Jeep in a 40-mpg world may lie in a pint-sized off-road vehicle already plying the back roads of Europe. The vehicle is called the Fiat Panda Cross and is available only in a 1.3-liter diesel version that gets nearly 40 mpg. Full story...

In a dismal year when industry sales slumped 18 percent, only a few dealership groups managed to boost revenues. According to Automotive News' annual survey of the nation's top 125 dealership groups, just 16 increased overall revenue in 2008. Full story...

The AMA Supercross series visited St Louis (MO) on Saturday as its two dominant riders, the steady Chad Reed (Suzuki) and main rival and quickest rider in the series James Stewart (Yamaha) lined up to do battle. Reed led the season championship from Stewart by only 6 points, after finishing first or second in every race so far this season. Full story...

To understand the success of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, you need to understand the company and the terminology the company uses. Hybrid for example is defined as the combination of two or more different things, aimed at achieving a particular objective. In this case it is two distinct methods of propulsion for an automobile aimed at reducing fuel consumption without reducing practicality. Another important definition is integration, which in this case is "data from one device or software to be read or manipulated by another, resulting in ease of use". The last major definition is Synergy which in its simplest terms means the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Full story...

With mere days until the 2009 season opener, Formula 1 team Force India has become another team to make clear its current position regarding the new technology KERS. Full story...

The SEAT team have accomplished their mission: completing the American part of the season with four victories. Full story...

Renault Formula 1 eam's technical director Pat Symonds has contradicted his boss Flavio Briatore over the rear diffuser saga. Full story...

Veteran Formula 1 driver Rubens Barrichello insists he has travelled to Melbourne with a realistic chance of victory. Full story...

Rockstar/Makita Yoshimura Suzuki rider Mat Mladin went a perfect two-for-two in 2009 with a win in Saturday's AMA Superbike race at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA, his victory coming after a race-long battle with Tommy Hayden. Full story...

Mumbai, March 23, 2009: Tata Motors today announced the commercial launch of the Tata Nano, keenly awaited across India since its unveiling on January 10, 2008. The Tata Nano is BS-III* compliant and comes with an all-new 2-cylinder aluminium MPFI 624 cc petrol engine mated to a four-speed gear box and will be available in three variants. The cars will be on display across the country at Tata Motors Passenger Car dealerships and other select authorised outlets from April 1st. Full story...

The 6th-generation of the GTI will hit the market later this year, and VW has released some more info on the iconic hot hatch. Under the hood, the new GTI keeps the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine that develops 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. Transmission choices remain a 6-speed manual and optional 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox, aka DSG. VW claims 30 percent of GTI buyers will opt for the latter. Full story...

In reference to recent press coverage commenting on cancellation of its Estoque project, Lamborghini has not taken any decision to produce its Estoque concept car, the four door performance saloon concept shown at Paris motor show in 2008. Full story...

To understand the success of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, you need to understand the company and the terminology the company uses. Hybrid for example is defined as the combination of two or more different things, aimed at achieving a particular objective. In this case it is two distinct methods of propulsion for an automobile aimed at reducing fuel consumption without reducing practicality. Another important definition is integration, which in this case is "data from one device or software to be read or manipulated by another, resulting in ease of use". The last major definition is Synergy which in its simplest terms means the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Full story...

Renault Formula 1 eam's technical director Pat Symonds has contradicted his boss Flavio Briatore over the rear diffuser saga. Full story...