Auto News 5

Belgian dealer group D'Ieteren raised its 2010 profit forecast after its third quarter was boosted by strong sales of new cars in Belgium and a steady return of business customers to its rental business. Full story...

GM said it may enter the World Rally Championship for the first time in more than 20 years to bolster the image and selling prices of European brands Opel and Vauxhall. Full story...

Saab Automobile AB plans to begin distribution to China some time in 2011. A deal is expected to be signed by year end, CEO Jan Ake Jonsson said last week. Full story...

Antoine L'Estage and Nathalie Richard of the Rockstar Mitsubishi team scored a decisive win in the Rally of the Tall Pines, the final round of the Canadian Rally Championship. Full story...

SONOMA, California - At first glance, the 2011 Challenger standing on the tarmac of Infineon Raceway, appears little changed from the previous model. Full story...

At the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals held in Italy this past weekend, Team Canada won two of the four world titles! Full story...

Winter is at our doorsteps, cold winds are blowing and the first snowfalls are just waiting to bury our roads and driveways, and preparing your car for difficult driving conditions is essential. Because mishaps can happen to anyone, keeping a few tools handy and checking some key elements before taking the wheel can save you a lot of hassle, and even your life in more extreme conditions. So here's a short list of essential equipment as well as inspection tips that will help you survive our harsh Canadian winters. Full story...

Some people will question the existence of hybrid vehicles, and in some cases, with good reason. The complexity of the electrical system and the added weight of the battery pack can make a hybrid a tough sell against its conventional, non-electric counterpart. Full story...

Toyota is to undertake European road trials of an electric-powered version of its iQ city car from next year. It announced the study this week in a progress report on its product and technology strategies to use electricity and alternative power sources to develop low carbon vehicles that are less dependant on fossil fuels. Full story...

The signs have begun to appear: NHL hockey on the TV, leaves on the ground and a chill in the air -- Old Man Winter is just around the corner, and he's ready to deal us a side order of stress along with the usual serving of snow and ice. According to a new poll sponsored by Goodyear Canada, despite our reputation as winter warriors, nearly seven in 10 (69 per cent) Canadians admit that they find driving in snowy, icy conditions stressful. The poll also reveals that more than half of us (51 per cent) avoid driving in bad weather altogether, causing us to miss a range of professional and personal obligations every winter. Full story...

Antoine L'Estage and Nathalie Richard of the Rockstar Mitsubishi team scored a decisive win in the Rally of the Tall Pines, the final round of the Canadian Rally Championship. Full story...

This is the official video of new NASCAR driver Travis Pastrana's rally hillclimb up Mt. Washington, New Hampshire in a 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally car. Full story...

Have you ever thought about making our roads more exciting by changing the look of traffic lights? Probably not, but designer Thanva Tivawong did! I have to admit that they might not be useful for color-blind people, and that we will probably never see them on the road, but they look really good! Full story...

To mark the presentation of the stunning C-X75 at the Los Angeles Motor Show, Jaguar has launched an all-new iPad app that, like the supercar, celebrates three-quarters of a century of beautiful, fast cars. Full story...

SANTA MONICA, Calif. - CODA Automotive, a California-based electric car and battery company, and The Hertz Corporation, the world's largest general use airport car rental brand, entered into a partnership making 100% all-electric CODA Sedans available at select Southern California Hertz locations. Full story...

Edoardo Mortara secured his place in the history books on Sunday when he became the first man to win the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix for a second time. Full story...

It appears that Graham Rahal is close to signing a deal with Chip Ganassi that would see the young American driver be part of a second Ganassi team during the 2011 IndyCar season. Full story...

GP2 series' Dutch-Chinese racer Ho-Pin Tung was on hand at the Sebring International Raceway as he was invited by the FAZZT Racing team to test Alex Tagliani's B&W Dallara-Honda. Full story...

Antoine L'Estage and Nathalie Richard of the Rockstar Mitsubishi team scored a decisive win in the Rally of the Tall Pines, the final round of the Canadian Rally Championship. Full story...

Pastor Maldonado has hinted that "important news" about his future could be forthcoming this week. Full story...