Auto News 5

General Motors is in the final stage of talks to sell equity to Chinese partner SAIC Motor Corp. as part of its landmark initial public offering, two people familiar with the matter said. Full story...

Tata is offering owners of the Nano the option to install safety protection in the vehicles after a few of them caught on fire in the last year. Full story...

Volkswagen will pay 3.3 billion euros ($4.55 billion) to acquire Europe's largest independent auto dealer group, Porsche Holding Salzburg, in a deal VW says will help it achieve its goal of becoming the top global automaker. Full story...

When the 2011 Chrysler 200 hits showrooms in the next several weeks, its base LX model will cost $875 less than the sedan it replaces. The 2011 Chrysler Town and Country minivan, meanwhile, will be priced nearly $5,000 more than the current model. Full story...

Toyota Motor will start selling a compact electric car in Japan in 2012, Kyodo news agency reported. Full story...

GM is increasing to 44 percent its stake in the Chinese Wuling mini-vehicle venture it has with partner SAIC Motor Corp. The automaker said in an updated prospectus for its $10. Full story...

Ford Chairman Bill Ford said investors are underestimating the automaker's growth potential in the United States and that it has laid a foundation for growth in China and India. Full story...

The Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro announced on Thursday that Frenchman Jules Bianchi will take on the role of test driver for the 2011 season. Full story...

Virgin officially announced that it has sold a major stake in the new British F1 team to Russian sportscar manufacturer Marussia Motors. Full story...

In celebration of 25 years of racing, the Honda Indy Toronto, taking place from July 8-10, will feature an exciting and diverse race schedule in 2011 featuring the highest levels of Indy, stock, touring and, for the first time, exotic car racing. Full story...

Lotus Racing will switch from its current green and yellow livery to an equally-iconic black and gold for the 2011 season. Full story...

Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina venue can stay on the F1 calendar "for ever", F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has enthused. Full story...

Sebastian Vettel says thinking about a team strategy this weekend is his third priority at best for the Abu Dhabi season finale. Full story...

Crewe, England - The Continental Flying Spur and its sporting stablemate the 200mph (322km/h) Flying Spur Speed are the most successful four-door Grand Tourers in Bentley's history and among the best-selling ultra-luxury saloons in the world. Full story...

After the G-POWER M5 HURRICANE RS with bi-supercharger engine and 750 hp / 551 kW broke the record for the "world's fastest saloon car" at the end of 2008 with a speed of 367.4 km/h, G-POWER went one step further in 2010, taking the existing record to a new all-time best of 372 km/h with the next evolution of the same car - the M5 HURRICANE RR. Full story...

Stuttgart, Germany - Porsche AG presents a world premiere and two US premieres at the Los Angeles Auto Show. A mid-engine sports car which will be unveiled during a press conference at 10:55 a.m. on November 17 is right in the spotlight. The world premiere will be flanked by new 911 models, the 911 GTS and the 911 Speedster. With these three thoroughbred sports cars, Porsche crowns an outstanding year in the US market. In several well-renowned studies of the J.D. Full story...

My friend Dave is an avid drag-racer who tweaks his own engine and rocks a stripped out, strip-ready Sunfire. He was checking out your writer's borrowed Sentra SE-R Spec V tester at the local coffee shop one night not so long ago. Full story...

Since the CX-7 was launched back in 2007, we feel that it offers good performance from its turbo 4-cylinder engine, but lacks the racy sound of a good V6, and isn't really more fuel-efficient during spirited driving. Full story...

Auto123.com reported earlier this week that there were negotiations between the IndyCar Series and General Motors representatives about a possible return to the series in 2012 for the American car manufacturer. Full story...

As electric vehicles increase in popularity, many are finding that the cars can be used for more than just day-to-day commuting. In fact, the THINK City - already the world's best-selling electric car - has established itself as the most versatile too. Full story...