Auto News 5

Toyota plans to move into new product segments over the next 18 months, as well as redesign several mainstream models. Full story...

Hyundai Motor is to recall 139,500 Sonatas in the US next month because the steering shaft of some 2011 models can become detached, resulting in a loss of control. Full story...

Mahindra and Mahindra says it has rejected an order from US importer Global Vehicles for pickup trucks, as the increasingly bitter verbal jousting between both companies increases. Full story...

US billionaire Warren Buffett may reduce his stake in Chinese carmaker BYD Co Ltd according to media speculation. Full story...

US billionaire Warren Buffett may reduce his stake in Chinese carmaker BYD Co Ltd according to media speculation. Full story...

Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn reportedly plans to retire in the next three to four years. Full story...

French tiremaker Michelin unveiled a deeply discounted 1.2 billion euros ($1.6 billion) rights issue to fund growth in booming emerging markets and set new long-term sales and profit goals. Full story...

GAZ is planning a joint venture with China's FAW Group to produce trucks in the Urals, the Russian company's president Bo Andersson has told the Reuters news agency. Full story...

PSA will unveil the world's first diesel-electric car at the Paris auto show this week to take on Renault's all-electric strategy as both French carmakers play catch-up to Toyota. Full story...

Chrysler Group fired 13 workers at a Detroit assembly plant after a local television station report showed some of them drinking on their lunch breaks. Two other workers were also suspended for a month without pay, the automaker said. Full story...

A UAW-management détente at the Chevrolet Cruze assembly plant in Ohio has been restored following allegations that GM used outside workers to make factory repairs on the cars, union Local 1112 President Jim Graham said. Full story...

BMW will offer chief executive Norbert Reithofer a five-year contract extension at a meeting on Wednesday, a German newspaper reported. Full story...

BMW will offer chief executive Norbert Reithofer a five-year contract extension at a meeting on Wednesday, a German newspaper reported. Full story...

Reaction to the IPL G Cabrio Concept at the Paris auto show will determine whether Infiniti will challenge Audi's S, BMW's M and Mercedes-Benz's AMG models in Europe. The IPL G Cabrio Concept has a 3. Full story...

Nissan Motor Co. premium brand Infiniti plans to launch its first full-electric car in 2013. Full story...

Volkswagen of America announced that the 2011 Touareg lineup will include three powertrains - a supercharged hybrid with 3.0L V6 TSI, a 3.0L V6 TDI Clean Diesel and a gas-powered 3.6L V6 FSI. The hybrid variant won't be available in Canada, however. Thomas Tetzlaff, Public Relations Manager at VW Canada, told Auto123.com: "We have decided to launch our hybrid solution with the Jetta in 2012. It represents volumes that we can support properly." Full story...

Speed is not as important anymore, at least according to a September 14th manifesto signed by none other than Lamborghini SpA President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann. Full story...

The time is right: The wait is over. Scion rolls into Canada today, with 45 dealers in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, bringing vehicles and a new automotive experience to young, style-conscious Canadian drivers. "There's a new demographic of drivers in Canada - younger drivers who demand a new type of vehicle and a new style of doing business. And today, they can finally get that from Scion," said Larry Hutchinson, Director of Scion in Canada. "Scion now offers a full line-up of distinctively styled, well-equipped models, a unique in-dealer and online experience, and a new business model designed to address the needs of a new generation." Full story...

Group Lotus has announced that it will design and build a LMP2 car in order to enter 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours. Full story...

Max Biaggi (Aprilia) has won the 2010 World Superbike Championship with one round still remaining while Carlos Checa (Ducati) wins the Imola doubleheader. Full story...