Auto News 5

Given the size of the Ford Fiesta, this shouldn't be much of a surprise--the littlest Ford in the United States has been rated at 40 mpg on the highway. A fuel economy rating that high is typically recorded by vehicles with hybrid powertrains. Full story...

The U.S. Treasury Department is interviewing Wall Street bankers to advise the government on an initial public offering of General Motors Co., the Wall Street Journal reported. Full story...

After deliberating for four hours in Monaco, stewards, including driver representative Damon Hill, have imposed a penalty that drops Michael Schumacher out of the points placings. The penalty itself is set in stone, but Mercedes has nonetheless decided to appeal the decision. Full story...

The F1 chief executive caused a stir this weekend when he indicated he was helping the struggling Spanish team to financially survive its debut season. Full story...

Only 12 cars saw the checkered flag in Monaco. In front of them all, the Red Bull of Mark Webber who becomes the first Australian in more than 50 years to take the honors in the Principality. Full story...

Renault said in Monaco that it wants to build its team around Robert Kubica. As for Mark Webber, he is F1's man of the moment, but on Saturday he was not in the mood to confirm the latest paddock rumour. Full story...

Martin Whitmarsh sounded unimpressed with the stewards' decision not to penalise Felipe Massa after qualifying for the Monaco grand prix. Full story...

While Kyle Busch was running away with the 200-mile NASCAR Nationwide series race in Dover, Clint Bowyer was "having at it" with Denny Hamlin in the closing laps. Busch, the polesitter, led all but 14-laps of the 205 lap race which ended under a green-white-checkered flag rule. Full story...

In the big encyclopedia of American automobiles, one would be able to read the following: "Lincoln MKX - Premium midsize crossover; twin of the Ford Edge; chrome-clad vehicle with a longer list of features than the Edge Limited; competing against a number of road-oriented premium midsize SUVs such as the Lexus RX 350, Infiniti EX35 and Cadillac SRX." Full story...

Canada's Transport Minister John Baird today announced new regulations that make Canada's testing standards for child car seats unprecedented and world-leading. The regulations are part of the Government of Canada's commitment to ensure Canadian product safety standards are second to none. Full story...

High cost and still-limited performance will keep the number of electric cars at only 2 percent to 5 percent of the U.S. market a decade from now, a study by Deloitte Consulting issued this week said. Full story...

The last recession forced the auto industry to slash costs, shutter factories, tear up contracts and rely on government funding. Full story...

Toyota Motor Corp. officials took preliminary steps to publicly question the integrity of two witnesses testifying before a U.S. Congress panel that is probing the Japanese automaker's safety record, the Washington Post reported. Full story...

Nissan North America expects to recall 48,700 U.S.-built light trucks next week to fix a suspension part that may not have been welded properly. Full story...

Jérôme d'Ambrosio clinched victory in race 2 in Monaco after he led from start to finish. Full story...

Many weekends are heavy in racing at this time of the year, but next weekend's calendar will be particularly loaded! Adding to the very important qualifying session for the Indy 500, NASCAR will host its popular All-Star race in Charlotte, North Carolina. The American Le Mans Series will share the Laguna Seca track with the Star Mazda Series. The Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship will race alongside the World Challenge Series in yet another charged week-end in Mosport, Ontario. In Europe, DTM will be in Valencia, F2 in Monza and GT1 World in Brno! So much for rest during a long weekend! Full story...

Early simulations show that next year's formula one cars will be about two seconds slower per lap. Last year, teams including Brawn, Williams and Toyota stunned their rivals by designing cars with the controversial rear aerodynamic concept. Full story...

NASCAR driver, Brian Vickers, was released from a Washington, D.C. hospital on Friday night after admission to diagnose blood clots in his legs and near his lungs. Full story...

HRT has denied reports it is fighting for survival. Meanwhile, Sir Richard Branson on Saturday insisted Virgin Racing is not in danger of dropping out of formula one. Full story...

For Martin Truex Jr, racing at Dover International Speedway is like a homecoming. Although he's from New Jersey he considers the one-mile oval in Delaware, known as "the Monster Mile," his home track. And for good reason. His only NASCAR Sprint Cup win came here in 2007 when he was driving for DEI Racing and there are more reasons. Full story...