Auto News 5

We are smack in the middle of SEMA so we thought, if you're following our video and article coverage, that we'd let you know about the CIAACE2011 or the China Int'l Expo for Auto Accessories, Electronics, Tuning & Care Products. Full story...

Wraptivo, owned by Meguiar's, retailer of designer car wraps, has built quite a CR-Z. This concept sports a full genuine Honda aerodynamics kit from Japan. Over these components, Wraptivo has wrapped the CR-Z in matte and carbon black wraps. Full story...

This is no ordinary classic Mustang. In fact, other than having once been a 1969 'Stang, it is very modern indeed. Built and designed by a team that included Mustang racer Vaughn Gittin Jr., programmers of the video game "Need for Speed" and the fabrication crews of Twins Turbo and Steen Chassis of Signal Hill, California, this 1969 Ford Mustang RTR-X is more than the sum of all its parts. Full story...

An increase of only 1.4% compared to October 2009 might not seem like a reason for celebrating, but it's actually the highest sales total ever recorded during the month of October in Canada. Light trucks are still selling more than cars, and will likely finish the year with a higher sales figure for the first time in history. Full story...

The 2010 Race of Champions will be held in the city of Düsseldorf, Germany, November 27th and 28th. Full story...

On Wednesday November 3, at the FIA's headquarters in Paris, France, the members of the World Motor Sport Council met ahead of this year's FIA General Assembly week. Full story...

Mazda North American Operations will debut the all-new North American version of the popular Mazda5 multi-activity vehicle at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show. Since its launch in 2005, Mazda5 has redefined the compact van by offering seating for six (US version) in three easily configurable rows, as well as styling and dynamics simply not found in any other vehicle in this segment. Furthermore, the original Mazda5 was the first compact van with two sliding rear doors. This type of insight and fun to drive engineering is found in all Mazdas, and is defined by the term "Zoom-Zoom." Full story...

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia - Canadians are buying more and more compact crossovers, so automakers have been multiplying their offerings in that segment. Full story...

The Renault V8 engine to be used by Sebastian Vettel in Brazil this weekend in his Red Bull RB6 has already contested two grands prix, it has emerged. Full story...

Buick reveals the production version of the 2012 Regal GS, an even sportier expression of the Regal sport sedan that went on sale earlier this year and has attracted new buyers to the Buick family. Powered by a high-output, exclusive Ecotec 2.0L turbocharged engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission, the GS delivers an estimated 255 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque for a 0-60 mph performance of less than seven seconds. Full story...

The Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder concept makes its UK debut today at MPH The Prestige and Performance Motor Show at Earls Court in London. For the first time, British motoring enthusiasts visiting the annual celebration of performance motoring will be able to lay their eyes on one of the most exclusive cars in the world. Full story...

Today's highlight video consists in some carefully selected cars and trucks that we feel deserve a little extra attention. Of those, look for the Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak, HPA-built Jeep Wrangler TDI and AWD twin-turbo VR6 Scirocco, Chop Shop Customs' 1970 Chevy Nova, a glimpse of Mr Foose and the über-cool Abt Audi R8 GT R. For those that have a penchant for women over cars, you will also be served. Full story...

Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (SCEA) hosted its eighth annual Gran Turismo Awards at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show last night at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, celebrating automotive design excellence and showcasing the latest franchise offering, Gran Turismo 5. Each year, the Gran Turismo Awards offer SEMA show exhibitors the opportunity to join the ranks of the famed Gran Turismo racing franchise - one of the top-selling video game franchises of all time with more than 56 million units shipped worldwide - with a feature spot in a future Gran Turismo title. After reviewing more than 100 entries, the judging panel and Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi himself, crowned Best Hot Rod winner, Mark Stielow for his 1969 Chevy Camaro as the 2010 "Best in Show." Full story...

Toyota brand boss Bob Carter said today the automaker will launch special leasing and purchase deals within weeks to boost flagging volume. Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. reported October U.S. sales fell 4 percent from a year earlier. Full story...

ADESA Inc. has acquired Premier Auction Group, which includes six auction sites, and is building a greenfield auction site in Las Vegas, the used-vehicle auction giant said today. The acquired auction houses are Bay Auto Auction in Bay City, Mich. Full story...

American Suzuki halted its free fall last month by posting a 17 percent sales gain, its first monthly increase in more than two years. Suzuki sold 2,043 vehicles in October, compared with 1,748 in October 2009. Full story...

A few days before Christmas in 2000, BBK Ltd. founder B.N. Bahadur got a call from an assistant treasurer at Delphi. Full story...

U.S. Supreme Court justices signaled they may be divided, perhaps evenly, in a case involving Mazda Motor Corp. that could open automakers to more consumer lawsuits over vehicle safety. Full story...

The Morgan Motor Co. will relaunch the Morgan Threewheeler after a 58-year hiatus, the British automaker said on Wednesday. Full story...

General Motors has announced preliminary financial results for the third quarter that point to significant profit and have created the conditions for the start of its IPO. Full story...