Auto News 5

Canadian driver Bruno Spengler concluded a three-day test in Estoril, Portugal at the wheel of the C-Class DTM car of Mercedes-Benz. Full story...

The Formula 1 entrant currently known as Honda on Tuesday played down negative speculation about the team's future. Full story...

Toyota team president John Howett has confirmed suggestions that Toyota F1 engine boss Luca Marmorini departed because of the Japanese team's policies, as well as the sport's technical restrictions. Full story...

Porsche is offering shoppers an optional upgraded sports-exhaust system for the 911. Even in standard form, the iconic sports car exhibits a distinctive engine note by way of its unique boxer-engine layout and the relatively short length of its exhaust system plumbing. Full story...

After 10 days of activities, the 2009 edition of the Detroit Auto Show wrapped up on Sunday with overall attendance falling short of last year's numbers. This is the sixth consecutive year that the show has seen a decrease in attendance, and the numbers dropped by a substantial 50,000 visitors in 2009. Full story...

The French Senate has approved a bill amendment giving permission for the construction of a formula one circuit near Paris, the sports daily L'Équipe said. Full story...

Mercedes-Benz has built a strong reputation in North America... and it needs to stay that way. Sporty or not, the various models in the portfolio are either very luxurious (think S-Class), impeccably designed (CLS-Class) or supremely comfortable (GLK-Class). Company executives are awfully proud of this image, and they're quite aware that such refinement needs to trickle down to smaller products in the lineup, even entry-level cars. Full story...

Mercedes-Benz has built a strong reputation in North America... and it needs to stay that way. Sporty or not, the various models in the portfolio are either very luxurious (think S-Class), impeccably designed (CLS-Class) or supremely comfortable (GLK-Class). Company executives are awfully proud of this image, and they're quite aware that such refinement needs to trickle down to smaller products in the lineup, even entry-level cars. Full story...

Honda Motor Co. said early Tuesday it is cutting production in North America and Japan by another 50,000 vehicles to match rapidly shrinking demand. The move slashes projected North American output to 1. Full story...

Opel will unveil its vehicle that uses the range-extending powertrain first shown in the Chevrolet Volt, at the Geneva motor show in March. Full story...

Reports that Volkswagen has delayed or canned its plan to build a plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., are false, said Volkswagen Group of America CEO Stefan Jacoby. Full story...

Reports that Volkswagen has delayed or canned its plan to build a plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., are false, said Volkswagen Group of America CEO Stefan Jacoby. Full story...

American Suzuki is developing a plan to help dealers cut inventory. At the make meeting Sunday, dealers were told the company will hold on to slow-moving product, and dealers will be urged to buy the hot-selling vehicles. Full story...

Reports that Volkswagen has delayed or canned its plan to build a plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., are false, said Volkswagen Group of America CEO Stefan Jacoby. Full story...

Opel, General Motors' European unit, will unveil its vehicle that uses the range-extending powertrain first shown in the Chevrolet Volt, at the Geneva motor show in March. Full story...

Fiat S.p.A. CEO Sergio Marchionne and a team of Fiat senior executives visited Chrysler LLC headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich., on Saturday morning, according to a letter to Chrysler employees from CEO Bob Nardelli. Full story...

Toyota will continue its regional marketing strategy in February by offering dealers customer and dealer cash, low annual percentage rates and subvented leases. Bob Carter, general manager of Toyota Division, said the strategy appears to be working. Full story...

John McEleney, the incoming chairman of NADA, urged Congress to hold hearings to assess how many jobs would be lost if vehicle emissions were regulated state by state. Full story...

In April, Nissan and Infiniti will begin opening express service lanes in dealerships across the country. The move, announced today at the make meetings, is part of a larger effort by Nissan North America to improve customer retention. Full story...

2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 4.0

Is a newly retuned suspension enough for us to swoon over the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 4.0?

During the three days I drove the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen Hybrids along the coast of Maine, I distinctly remember asking one marketing executive what the exact differences were between the two SUVs. "Nothing," he candidly replied. "Some folks prefer the Chrysler name or fascia, while others are partial to the Dodge" - and hence the two coexist in what most would perceive as a blatant conflict of interest.

Photo Gallery: 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 4.0 - Latest News, Features, and Reviews - Automobile Magazine

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