Auto News 5

My wife calls me the eternal optimist. I can't help it! I obviously love my wife, my job (notice how wife comes before job...) and am generally just a happy guy. Quite honestly, 2009 was a tough year for me too as the industry I adore went through a really rough patch. The mood in the business was so dismal last year, I did not bother going to Detroit, my first absence in five years. Full story...

Toronto, ON, Mercedes-Benz Canada recognized the outstanding achievements of its top-performing dealers today by announcing the 2010 Star Dealers list. This highly coveted designation identifies the top nine authorized Mercedes-Benz dealers, and acknowledges the important contributions they have made in 2009 to the overall success of the brand within Canada. Full story...

Montreal, QC - The Montreal International Auto Show (MIAS) Charity Preview evening, which took place January 14, 2010, helped raise $361,119.24 to benefit five (5) worthy causes within the Greater Montreal's medical community: Fondation du CHUM, Montréal Sacré-Coeur Hospital Foundation, MUHC - McGill University Health Centre Foundation, Pierre-Boucher Hospital Foundation and Santa Cabrini Foundation. This fund raising event was presented by the Montreal Automobile Dealers Corporation Foundation and the Palais des congrès de Montréal. Full story...

TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces it plans to begin a gradual rollout in Japan in mid-2010 of its newly developed "G Sports"1 (G's) sports conversion car2 series. The series, to be sold through Toyota-brand dealers, is meant to offer to a wider range of people the "automotive seasoning" that TMC has pursued through its GAZOO Racing3 activities. Full story...

LAMPO2 is an electric demonstration sports car conceived by Protoscar (www.protoscar.com), a Swiss company which has been developing CleanCar projects for 23 years including consulting of OEMs, power utilities and governments. Full story...

The new FAZZT IndyCar team and car were unveiled during the Montreal International Auto Show Thursday. Full story...

British race team Manor and John Booth will field a team in this year's new GP3 category. Full story...

Rüsselsheim. The Adam Opel GmbH Supervisory Board today appointed the new Management Board of the company. The new CEO and leader of the company will be Nick Reilly. In this capacity, he will be responsible for all Opel/Vauxhall activities worldwide. Full story...

Primetime Race Group has signed 19-year-old Canadian driver Kyle Marcelli to co-drive alongside team owner Joel Feinberg in the 2010 American Le Mans Series in the Le Mans Prototype Challenge class (LMPC). Full story...

No auto show would be complete without its share of prototypes and concept vehicles presented with great pageantry and flourish by the major manufacturers. Full story...

My wife calls me the eternal optimist. I can't help it! I obviously love my wife, my job (notice how wife comes before job...) and am generally just a happy guy. Quite honestly, 2009 was a tough year for me too as the industry I adore went through a really rough patch. The mood in the business was so dismal last year, I did not bother going to Detroit, my first absence in five years. Full story...

Braun Racing, self-described as the largest independent Nationwide Series-only team will be advancing up to the Sprint Cup series for five races, beginning with the Daytona 500 with Reed Sorenson as driver of a Toyota Camry. Full story...

NASCAR driver and team owner Michael Waltrip competes in the Dubai 24 Hour race this weekend. Waltrip said he was interesting in doing more endurance races in the near future. Full story...

Toro Rosso has confirmed that its 2010 car will be given its track debut as soon as the current testing ban lifts at the end of the month. Full story...

Braun Racing, self-described as the largest independent Nationwide Series-only team will be advancing up to the Sprint Cup series for five races, beginning with the Daytona 500 with Reed Sorenson as driver of a Toyota Camry. Full story...

Carlos Sainz (Volkswagen) took victory in the 12th stage in the Dakar Rally, but his team-mate Al-Attiyah still puts pressure on the spanish driver, with two days remaining. Full story...

Lotus has become the next F1 team to announce a launch date for its 2010 car. Full story...

Petter Solberg will drive a 2009-spec Citroën C4 WRC, this season. Two rally cars were bought from Citroën Racing, and Solberg will use both cars in the 2010 World Rally Championship. Full story...

No auto show would be complete without its share of prototypes and concept vehicles presented with great pageantry and flourish by the major manufacturers. Full story...

Top US car dealer Roger Penske has said electric car sales in the United States would require continued government subsidies. Full story...