Auto News 5

British driver James Thompson will miss the 2009 WTCC season, after team N Technology announced it was withdrawing from the series. Full story...

This week, Auto123.com features the following road tests: The Altima Hybrid, Nissan's new mid-size « green » sedan. The Chevrolet Traverse, the new, ultimate versatile and affordable SUV. The Subaru Impreza WRX265, the Mitsubishi Lancer Rallyart's new sporty competitor. And don't miss the videos filmed by our journalists at the Montreal International Auto Show, such as the interview with the president of Ford Canada, David Mondragon. Full story...

According to chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, Formula 1 F1's major teams can plug any holes on the grand prix grids by fielding third cars. Full story...

Team BMW Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld believes formula one drivers should be prepared to race for less money, as the sport tightens its belt in reaction to the global financial crisis. Full story...

Canadian driver Bruno Spengler participated in the first test session of 2009 of the Mercedes-Benz DTM team this past weekend in Estoril, Portugal. Full story...

These days, not having a hybrid or eco-friendly model in your vehicle line-up is a sin. Nissan wants to become part of the green club and decided to electrify the popular Altima sedan, which rivals the Toyota Camry and Prius, the Chevrolet Malibu and Saturn Aura as well as the brand-new Ford Fusion. Full story...

Chrysler LLC today asked dealers to order about 78,000 vehicles for February retail sales to support the company's efforts to show U.S. taxpayers that a $4 billion federal loan can help make the struggling automaker viable. Full story...

General Motors leaders told Saturn dealers today that funding has been allocated to build Saturn vehicles through 2012 and in some cases 2013. But they stopped short of saying Saturn would get new products and won't be killed. Full story...

King of roof boxes blends capacity with quality Full story...

New set of postage stamps honours design classic Full story...

David Donohue passed Juan Pablo Montoya with 39 minutes remaining and held on to win the 47th Rolex 24 At Daytona - on the 40th anniversary of his father, Mark Donohue's, victory in the 1969 event. Full story...

Carlos Reutemann, a winner of 12 grands prix, most recently in 1981, says he will run for the presidency of Argentina at the next election in 2011, according to the Buenos Aires Herald. Full story...

A1 Team Ireland's Adam Carroll and swiss driver Neel Jani clinched victory this week-end in New Zealand. Full story...

David Donohue passed Juan Pablo Montoya with 39 minutes remaining and held on to win the 47th Rolex 24 At Daytona - on the 40th anniversary of his father, Mark Donohue's, victory in the 1969 event. Full story...

Off the back of a disastrous chapter for the British company, the Royal Bank of Scotland has admitted its sponsorship of the formula one team Williams is under review. Full story...

Kobayashi won the feature race in Bahrain, and Sergio Perez took the victory in Sprint Race. Full story...

Reigning Junior World Rally Champion Sebastien Ogier (Peugeot 207) has won the 77th Monte Carlo Rally for the BFGoodrich Drivers' Team. Full story...

2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen has finished his first professional rally in thirteenth place. Full story...

Pacific Coast Motorsport and Rubicon Racing, two teams that participated in a limited number of events in 2008, are on the verge of announcing that they may unify and that they will launch a joint assault on the 2009 season. 
 Full story...

Pedro Lamy and the No. 10 Ford Dallara led the Rolex 24 At Daytona at the halfway point - the 12-hour mark - at Daytona International Speedway early Sunday morning. Full story...