Auto News 5

India's emergence in the global automotive marketplace is being cemented with a series of key announcements and new model launches at the Indian Auto Expo in New Delhi this week, according to SupplierBusiness. Full story...

New car sales in Italy for 2009 fell just 0.17% to 2.158m units from 2008 levels, according to figures from the country's Transport Ministry. Full story...

New car sales in Belgium were down an annual 11.15% in 2009 at 476,194 units, according to figures from the country's Federation of Car Industries (Febiac). A total of 535,947 vehicles were sold in 2008. Full story...

Recessionary pressures coupled with customer insistence on greater environmental considerations, have led to a remarkable growth in car club operator Streetcar's membership. Full story...

Kia Motors America has teamed up with Microsoft to develop what it calls Kia UVO, short for 'Your Voice,' which allows drivers to manage hands-free mobile phones and music files by voice. Full story...

Spain's car industry lost 30,000 jobs and saw 10% of small and midsize dealers go bankrupt as sales plunged 18% in one of the worst years for the industry in decades. Full story...

Ford was the big winner amongst the Detroit Three both in December and full-year 2009 sales. Adjusted for selling days, the blue oval booked a 23.9% year on year rise to 180,870 units. Full year sales were off 14.7% to 1,656,119. In contrast, GM was off 12.4% to 207,576 units last month and down 29.9% for the full year (2,072,237). Chrysler, though up on November, was down 10.3% year on year to 86,291 units and off 36% to 927,200 - its worst annual result in 47 years. Full story...

Ford was the big winner amongst the Detroit Three both in December and full-year 2009 sales. Adjusted for selling days, the blue oval booked a 23.9% year on year rise to 180,870 units. Full year sales were off 14.7% to 1,656,119. In contrast, GM was off 12.4% to 207,576 units last month and down 29.9% for the full year (2,072,237). Chrysler, though up on November, was down 10.3% year on year to 86,291 units and off 36% to 927,200 - its worst annual result in 47 years. Full story...

New 200mph machine from sports car maker Lee Noble breaks cover

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A forecast of heavy snow for southern England last night prompted Honda to impose a non-production day at its Swindon plant for Wednesday. Britain's worst winter since 1981 has seen widespread disruption in central and northern districts since before Christmas and, yesterday and last night, heavy snow swept south, bringing falls of up to 40cm in places. Full story...

While Lee Noble has given a strong hint that the car will be a 'natural, but even more focused' successor to his iconic M12, his new design is fresh, bold and dramatic, with a premium feel normally associated with exotica costing over £150,000. Full story...

The technical rules of Formula 1 change dramatically in 2010 with the ban of refueling during the races. This will change not only the look but also the performances of the cars. Full story...

NASCAR driver Robby Gordon took a surprise victory in the 4th stage of the prestigious Dakar rally in South America at the wheel of his mighty Hummer. Full story...

February will mark the beginning of the series of intense pre-season test sessions in preparation for the 2010 Formula 1 season. Full story...

Has Yamaha chosen Rossi over young(er) fast man Jorge Lorenzo? Maybe so, as Yamaha race bosses are said to be negotiating an "End of Career" contract with the Italian Magician before the 2010 season starts. Full story...

Tokyo--TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces its production and sales subsidiary in India unveiled today--under the banner: "World First, India First"--a concept version of the "Etios*", a compact car newly developed specifically for the Indian market. Full story...

LONDON, ON, - On January 1, 2010, Audi Canada replaced its current vehicle history report (VHR) provider with CarProof(R) Vehicle History Reports. Full story...

LAS VEGAS - Chevrolet and OnStar unveiled the auto industry's first working smartphone application that will allow Chevrolet Volt owners 24/7 connection and control of vehicle functions and OnStar features remotely. Full story...

Flavio Briatore is welcome to return to the F1 paddock after winning his French court action against the FIA's imposition of a lifetime motor racing ban, Bernie Ecclestone has said. Full story...

Speculation that Toro Rosso will not give its second race seat for 2010 to Jamie Alguersuari is intensifying. Full story...