Auto News 5

Dana Holding has broken ground for a US$20m technical centre in Pune, India. This 15th technical centre globally provide design, testing, and analytical support for each of the supplier's primary markets - automotive, commercial vehicle, and off-highway - under one roof and is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2011. Full story...

Cadillac said today it will compete in a production-car race series next year with its CTS-V Coupe, marking the premium brand's return to racing after a four-year absence. Full story...

Following a three-year factory hiatus, Cadillac on Monday announced its return to the SCCA World Challenge series for the 2011 season. Full story...

Formerly part of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Zircotec is now a fully independent organisation developing and providing an increasing range of thermal barrier and heat management coatings and products. Successfully used in motorsport, the coatings have offered light and robust heat management solutions for a growing number of OEMs such as Lamborghini. More recently the firm has been developing heat resistant coatings to allow composite materials to be used in high temperature environments. Matthew Beecham talked with Zircotec's managing director Terry Graham about the company's recent innovations. Full story...

EXECUTIVE EDITOR--AUTOWEEK.COM BOB GRITZINGER: This is the sweet spot E-class, with the big V8 and slick seven-speed automatic, that fills the space between the V6 model and the wicked E63 AMG. Full story...

What is it? Full story...

As I have said many times before, the strength of the Chinese car market over the past two years has been pretty phenomenal. Full story...

San Francisco Bay area resident Olivier Chalouhi took possession of the world's first retailed Nissan Leaf electric car Saturday at North Bay Nissan in Petaluma, Calif. Full story...

Audi has unveiled its striking entry to the 2011 Le Mans 24hr race, the R18 TDI coupe.

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Uprated turbodiesel and strong body ensure MINI Countryman has what it takes to take on the 2011 Dakar rally.

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Hyundai Motor America has sold its 500,000th vehicle in the US this year, the first time Hyundai has ever broken the 500,000 barrier and the highest number of cars it has ever sold there in a single year. The company expects to sell upwards of 530,000 vehicles this year, eclipsing the previous high of 467,009 achieved in 2007. Full story...

Hyundai Motor said sales of its redesigned Verna [Accent] subcompact in China jumped to a record high in November thanks to its high quality and design tailored to customers there. Full story...

Hyundai and Kia plan to increase their combined annual sales by 12% to 6.4m units next year. Full story...

Toyota Motor Europe has appointed Alain Uyttenhoven as vice president effective 1 January. Full story...

General Motors is considering giving its Chinese partner SAIC access to GM's sales network in the United Kingdom. Full story...

Skoda Auto will start production of its Yeti SUV in China in 2013 and plans to build up capacity, dealerships and new products to boost its share in the country, according to a report in the China Daily. Full story...

GS Global plans to invest US$5m in India's Steel Strips Wheels, soon after the Indian supplier sold a stake to Sumitomo Metal Industries a top Steel Strips official has said. Full story...

The homes and offices of Ford employees and suppliers in the German cities of Cologne and Leverkusen were searched today by prosecutors as part of a probe into fraud and bribery allegations. Full story...

The homes and offices of Ford employees and suppliers in the German cities of Cologne and Leverkusen were searched today by prosecutors as part of a probe into fraud and bribery allegations. Full story...

About 30 homes and offices in Germany were searched today in a case of suspected bribe-taking involving Ford employees. One person was arrested. Full story...