Auto News 5

The German car market plunged in June as the aftershocks from last year's scrapping incentive scheme are forecast to continue haunting the industry throughout the rest of this year. Full story...

June was a mixed blessing for automakers. According to Ward's, US light vehicle sales were up a healthy 14.4% with only a few manufacturers missing their numbers from last year but those results, especially for the Detroit Three, included fleet sales. Consumer sales remain soft, a real concern for the months ahead when rental fleets are replenished. Full story...

The repair will involve replacement of valve springs - at no charge. The problem was caused by contamination during manufacturing, Toyota said. Full story...

Toyota may next week recall up to 270,000 vehicles worldwide to fix an engine glitch. Toyota said it would file the recall in Japan on Monday, covering 90,000 high-end sedans. Full story...

Toyota may next week recall up to 270,000 vehicles worldwide to fix an engine glitch. Toyota said it would file the recall in Japan on Monday, covering 90,000 high-end sedans. Full story...

In the second such case, Deland Dodge of Deland, Fla., asked a state court to confirm the arbitration order that the dealer be added to the automaker's retail network. Full story...

Mazda Motor Corp. expects to sell 20,000 to 30,000 of the redesigned Mazda5 minivans in the United States annually when it reaches the market in January. Mazda sold 18,488 Mazda5s in the United States last year, down 16 percent from 2008. Full story...

U.S. light-vehicle sales rose 14 percent in June, with major automakers posting some of their smallest gains of the year amid signs of sagging consumer confidence and a cloudier economic outlook. Ford Motor Co.' Full story...

Driven by new products, about half of European brands outpaced the U.S. market's 14 percent sales gain in June. Smart continued to stagger, with sales of the ForTwo micro car down 48 percent for the month and 61 percent for the first half. Full story...

General Motors Co. will build 10,000 Chevrolet Volts by the end of 2011 and 30,000 more in 2012, said Tony DiSalle, marketing director for the Volt. Full story...

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) and Mercedes-Benz are offering you the chance to test-drive the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG - virtually - via Gran Turismo®5 for PlayStation®3 (PS3(tm)). Racing fans and visitors to Mercedes-Benz World, Weybridge, Surrey, can experience an exclusive taster of the forthcoming title: a one-track demo on the Nürburgring's challenging 14-mile Nordschleife circuit at the wheel of a stunning, virtually-rendered SLS AMG, on a specially installed PS3. If you've ever wondered how it would feel to get behind the wheel of this gull-winged supercar, this is your chance to see the real thing in store, sit in an actual SLS AMG seat, and experience first-hand what it could be like to put the pedal to the metal in this awesome car. Full story...

Changes to the layout of Valencia's street circuit could be made prior to F1's return next year. Full story...

Whether it was the extra horsepower, gained from the larger restrictor plate, the return of the spoiler or just the bumpy surface of the 2.5 mile Daytona International Speedway there was mayhem on the Super Speedway. Full story...

Michelin is "disappointed" with F1's decision to snub its proposal to return to formula one in 2011. Full story...

Magny Cours' new boss is positioning the French circuit for a possible return to the formula one calendar. Full story...

Two weeks after a boat crash in his native Finland, former F1 driver JJ Lehto has told police he has no memory of the incident. Full story...

Nico Rosberg has described the W01 as a "disaster", as Mercedes moves closer to abandoning development of its 2010 car. Full story...

Timo Glock has admitted he is keeping his "eyes open" as the 2011 driver market unfolds. Full story...

Martin Whitmarsh has backed the FIA's decision to take no action against Fernando Alonso. Full story...

Women know how to surprise men, especially in the heavily male-dominated auto industry. The lady behind the all-new 2010 Acura ZDX is the lovely Michelle Christensen, 28. Her sketches made such a strong impression on Honda executives that, for once, the production model looks virtually identical to the concept. Full story...