Auto News 5

General Motors and Chrysler LLC have reopened merger talks as Chrysler owner Cerberus Capital Management LP has signaled a willingness to give away part of its ownership in the automaker, the Wall Street Journal reported. Full story...

Auto-parts supplier Valeo will eliminate 5,000 jobs worldwide in response to declining car production and a pessimistic outlook for 2009. Full story...

According to reports in Europe, the second round of the 2009 World Superbike Series' season in Qatar could play host to a race in which MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi would ride a WSBK-spec Yamaha R1, while retired WSBK champion Troy Bayliss would ride his Ducati Xerox for one round. Full story...

Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher has ruled competing in a round of the World Superbike Championship this season. Full story...

It is possible that many - or most - formula one cars will take to the grid for March's 2009 season opener without active KERS systems. Full story...

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has hinted heavily that Bernie Ecclestone, F1's 78-year-old long time boss, should consider retirement. Full story...

It's autoshow season, and manufacturers are presenting concepts that will hint at the future design of vehicles in their lineups. Subaru is no exception. The Japanese automaker famous for safety and symmetrical all wheel drive has announced they their Legacy Concept will be making its world debut next month. Full story...

The future of Toro Rosso's Sébastien Bourdais in Formula 1 is still unclear but the Frenchman won't wait helplessly on the sidelines for a decision to come and he is considering a return to racing in North America. Full story...

According to reports in Europe, the second round of the 2009 World Superbike Series' season in Qatar could play host to a race in which MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi would ride a WSBK-spec Yamaha R1, while retired WSBK champion Troy Bayliss would ride his Ducati Xerox for one round. Full story...

Formula 1's high-earning race drivers will not be able to avoid the impact of the financial crisis, according to leading team bosses. Full story...

It seems like a tough battle between the Dodge Ram and the Ford F-150, both totally redesigned for 2009. The latest round in the head-to-head grudge match goes to the F-150 for claiming Motor Trend Magazine's "Truck of the Year" honours. At the end of October, the Ram outscored the Ford by a small margin to become the AJAC's "Best New Pickup Truck" for 2009. Full story...
Check out AmericanTrucks.com and their large selection of F150 Exhaust.

Earlier this year, I attended the North American launch of the Dodge Journey, and I must say that I was rather impressed with the company's new priced-right crossover vehicle. The Journey offers itself up as the almost perfect family transportation device and, as I have already indicated, supplies excellent value for money. In fact, I see it as pretty much the modern interpretation of the well loved family minivan. Full story...

The auto show teases continue, and today Kia is playfully showing the front end of a Soul-based concept that will bow in Detroit. Full story...

Kia Motors Corp. released this teaser photo of a concept vehicle to be unveiled at the Detroit auto show next month. The concept could be a future addition to Kia's Soul lineup. The boxy, five-seat Soul goes on sale this spring as a 2010 model. Full story...

Ford Motor Co. will close 10 of its active North American assembly plants the week of Jan. 5 as part of a previously announced plan to curb output. All but two of the active plants will resume production the week of Jan. 12. Full story...

French auto-parts supplier Valeo SA will eliminate 5,000 jobs worldwide in response to declining car production and a pessimistic outlook for 2009. Full story...

Volkswagen Group of America Inc. said today it is ready to begin construction on a paint shop for its planned assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tenn. Full story...

Valeo announced Wednesday that it will cut 5,000 jobs worldwide in reaction to declining car production and a pessimistic outlook for 2009. Full story...

Chrysler LLC says the ongoing credit crisis and plunging sales are forcing it to shut down all its factories for a month, extending its normal holiday shutdown. Full story...

Chrysler LLC is shutting down all its North American factories for a month due to the ongoing credit crisis and plunging sales. Chrysler announced today that all plants will be idled at the end of production Friday, Dec. 19. Full story...