Auto News 5

As the general sales manager of a big Acura dealership, Dayton Diaz made friends with all his customers. Full story...

Chrysler LLC has scrapped its plan to buy seats for the 2010 Jeep Wrangler from an Indian seat supplier, Krishna Maruti Ltd. Full story...

Last Thursday, Dec. 11, the U.S. Senate failed to approve a Detroit 3 bailout pushed by some Republicans that would have rolled back UAW wages and benefits to the level of North America's transplant automakers. But the issue is complex. Full story...

John Campi, Chrysler's purchasing chief who pushed for low-cost parts from Asia, told suppliers late Friday, Dec. 12, that he had resigned, effective that day. He cited health problems. Chrysler named Scott Garberding, 44, to replace Campi. Full story...

Chrysler LLC co-President Jim Press delivered the news Friday, Dec. 12, in a nationally telecast pep talk to dealers: The sales bank is back and#x2014; at least until the end of the month. Full story...

Even if General Motors gets a bailout in Washington, its troubled captive finance company faces a failure that could trigger thousands of dealership bankruptcies. Full story...

About 2,000 U.S. new-vehicle dealerships and#x2014; nearly one of every 10 and#x2014; will close in 2008 and 2009, the National Automobile Dealers Association projects. Full story...

General Motors will drastically slash North American production to 425,000 vehicles in the first quarter of 2009 and#x2014; fewer than half the total it built in the first quarter of this year. Full story...

Several Formula 1 teams are in action this week for the final test sessions of the 2008 season. Full story...

Newly crowned world champion Lewis Hamilton has revealed he will not test for McLaren prior to the 2009 car's completion in January. Full story...

Several Formula 1 teams are in action this week for the final test sessions of the 2008 season. Full story...

Sébastien Loeb, the five-time World Rally (WRC) champion, kept his composure despite fierce pressure from fellow finalist, Britain's David Coulthard, to become the champion of champions. Full story...

After ending Z4 roadster production this past summer, BMW has announced the availability of two all-new Z4 models this springtime. Available for power will be a pair of 3.0 liter straight-six engines. The first generates 255 horses and 220 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,600 rpm and is naturally aspirated. Full story...

This week, Auto123.com features the following road tests: the BMW 335d, the very first small sedan featuring a turbodiesel engine offered in Canada by the Bavarian manufacturer, and the Jeep Patriot North, a luxury edition of the compact, all-wheel-drive SUV. Feel free to check out the video of the Hyundai Genesis road test, a impressive luxurious sedan whose amazing performance is equalled only by the sophistication of its design. Full story...

Peugeot strongly denied any interest in buying the Honda Formula 1 team based in Brackley, Great Britain. The rumor said that French manufacturer Groupe PSA, selling cars under the names Peugeot and Citroen, had reportedly expressed interest in buying Honda's beleaguered formula one team. Full story...

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has been invited to test Citroen's world rally car. Full story...

If Mercedes-Benz is correct, then two displays are better than one: especially when they both exist on the same screen. With a new technology called SPLITVIEW, the driver and front passenger will be able to watch two different images from the same display screen. Mercedes is the first premium brand to introduce the technology, which will initially be available on their S-Class luxury sedan. Full story...

Starting today, December 15 2008, it is mandatory for Quebec residents to have winter tires on their cars and light trucks. Actually, it is considered that already some 85% of Quebec residents already have winter tires for their vehicles. But why such a law? Full story...

In order to help in reducing the overall operation costs for the teams, IndyCar chassis supplier Dallara from Italy says it will reduce the cost of chassis parts next season by an average of 11 percent. Full story...

Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided to suspend the FIA World Rally Championship activities from 2009. The company made the 2008 season entry with two SX4 WRCs. Full story...