Auto News 5

Ford Motor Company will expand and enhance its Lincoln brand lineup with seven all-new or significantly refreshed vehicles in the next four years as part of an aggressive growth plan focused on standout product design, class-leading technology and new powertrains - all aimed at competing with Cadillac and Lexus in North America. Full story...

The IZOD IndyCar Series announced that its next generation of engines would be more powerful and efficient than its current engine as well as being relevant to the automobile industry. Full story...

Ross Brawn, Mercedes GP boss and FOTA's chairman of the technical regulations group said he expects the Formula 1 teams to be able to test the 2011 tires before the current season is over. Full story...

ARLINGTON, Va. - New test results show that some automakers are doing a good job of designing vehicle roofs that perform much better than current federal rollover standards require. The roofs on other vehicles need improvement. In the first Insurance Institute for Highway Safety roof strength tests of midsize SUVs, 6 earn the top rating of good for rollover protection, 1 is acceptable, and 5 others earn the second lowest rating of marginal. Full story...

Red Bull's clear-the-air meeting, to be attended by both Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel, will take place at the team's Milton-Keynes headquarters on Thursday. Full story...

Robert Kubica's manager has hinted that the Polish driver is not likely to change teams ahead of the 2011 season. Full story...

Bernie Ecclestone is not happy that the formula one circus departed Turkey last weekend without resolving the issue of tyre supply for 2011. Full story...

Daytona 500 winner, Jamie McMurray, joined his car's co-owner, Chip Ganassi, and Indy 500 winner, Dario Franchitti for a unique photo at the Brickyard. Full story...

The rich and famous have the pick of the litter when it comes to buying their dream car. And whether they tread water or asphalt, the objects they choose are often high- and even very high-performance. Realizing this, Strand Craft chose to cater to this select clientele. Full story...

Hyundai--the Korean manufacturer of relatively inexpensive high-value vehicles--is taking its modest compact crossover to new levels with the introduction of the completely new, 2010 Tucson. Full story...

All major automakers posted gains in May -- ranging from Chrysler's 33 percent to Toyota's 7 percent -- as the light-vehicle sales rate hit its highest level this year. Sales rose 19 percent from May 2009 to 1.1 million light vehicles. Full story...

Most of General Motors Co.'s 17 percent sales increase this month was in fleet sales. Sales to individual customers only increased 7 percent, while fleet sales increased 38 percent. Full story...

The demise of Mercury has one potentially positive outcome for the car world: a revitalization of Lincoln. Full story...

Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. remains bullish for the rest of the year for both its Toyota-Scion and Lexus divisions. Toyota Division will continue to support sales with hefty incentives, but Lexus is dropping cut-rate leases. Full story...

Ford Motor Co. and Coulomb Technologies Inc. are giving away 4,600 electric-vehicle charging stations. Some will go to the first buyers of the Ford Transit Connect electric delivery van, which goes on sale this year. Full story...

Hot F-series pickups and Fusion sedans boosted Ford Motor Co.'s May U.S. sales 22 percent to 196,671 light vehicles. Full story...

Paced by its Dodge brand, Chrysler Group reported a 33 percent sales increase last month. Chrysler sold 104,819 units in May, just a year after the company's first month in a government-managed bankruptcy. Full story...

Mercury has stood for hot-rodding, performance, style and even feminine appeal during various points in its 72-year history. But ultimately, the failure to stand alone in the Ford Motor Co.'s family of brands spelled its demise. Full story...

Ford Motor Co. will discontinue its 71-year-old Mercury brand and end production of vehicles in the fourth quarter, Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, said today. Full story...

Dealer sources say they expect Ford Motor Co. to confirm plans to phase out its 71-year-old Mercury brand at a press conference this afternoon. Full story...