Auto News 5

Swedish supplier Autoliv's steering wheel plant in Tunisia has been destroyed by fire. Full story...

Leak confirms Ford hatch debut at Detroit. Gets stylish looks; sits on Mondeo platform Full story...

Hyundai Motor Group believes it can boost sales of its Hyundai and Kia brands by 17% globally in 2010 to 5.4m units from 4.63m in 2009. Full story...

General Motors India booked record growth of 101% in December 2009 with 8,258 units sold, a monthly record for the unit which is just launching its new Beat small car. Full story...

General Motors expects to sell 100,000 vehicles in 2010 in India, up 43% from the 70,000 sold in 2009, its India chief said on Monday. Full story...

SAIC Motor, China's biggest automaker, said on Monday its vehicle sales in 2009 rose 57% to 2.72m units. Full story...

General Motors on Monday said its sales in China last year rose 66.9% to a record 1,826,424 units. Market share was a record 13.4%, up 1.3% year on year. Full story...

The 2010 Olympics are almost there and to avoid high lodging rates some hotels will impose for visitors, Go RVing Canada reports that RV rentals and campgrounds can be a much more affordable option. Full story...

Auto shows are for everyone, right? Well, not necessarily for the organizers of the 2010 NAIAS in Detroit, who proudly announced on December 16 that prestige brands will make a return to the Motor City... except that their highly-coveted cars won't be showcased inside Cobo Hall along with the rest of the industry. Full story...

The V70 is Volvo's luxurious mid-size S80-inspired wagon that underwent a major redesign for the 2008 model year. Revisions for 2010 pertain primarily to trim levels and content packages. Full story...

Gurnee, Illinois - Chicago area accessory manufacturer RealWheels Corporation has just released the race-inspired aftermarket trim package for the 2010 Camaro that they debuted at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas with their "Cool Shades" Camaro project. Full story...

Tony Stewart showed he was still able to jump, from a NASCAR Sprint Cup car into an Australian-rules sprint car, and be competitive as he won the pole for a preliminary race at a Sydney's Tyrepower City Raceway. Full story...

MINI is showcasing various visions for individual mobility in the world of tomorrow at the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The MINI Beachcomber Concept, for example, whets the appetite of the connoisseur and enthusiast for the fun moments in life. Radically open, it offers yet a further outlook at a future model from MINI. Four seats each with their own door, overall length of more than four metres or 158", as well as four-wheel drive - these highlights characterise this new interpretation of that unique MINI feeling. Full story...

Nigel Mansell targets a Le Mans 24 hours entry with his two sons Leo and Greg, and is waiting for an invitation for the French classic from the ACO. Full story...

The FIA has published nine races of the 2010 DTM calendar. A 10th race will probably be added soon. Full story...

Admittedly, being from Vancouver, my winter driving skills are yet to be as honed as those of many of my fellow Canadians. I am, however, exceptional at driving in the rain... LOL! Now that I live on the Eastern side of Canada, I am quickly learning that I need to get over any fears or trepidation I may have regarding driving on roads that have been painted perpetual white by the hands of Mother Nature. Full story...

Auburn Hills, Mich., - Mopar is giving Dodge Challenger even more of a muscular appearance. Full story...

Starting on January 1, 2010, Thomas Hajek, Managing Director Maserati GB Ltd has taken up the responsibility for Maserati in the following markets: Germany, Great Britain, France, Monaco, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg. Full story...

Shanghai - GM and its joint ventures in China announced today that their domestic sales jumped 66.9 percent in 2009 to a record 1,826,424 units. Based on bullish sales of Buick, Chevrolet and Wuling vehicles, the GM China family achieved an estimated market share of 13.4 percent, another year-end record and an improvement of 1.3 percentage points from the end of 2008. Full story...

McLaren's 2010 car will be tested for the first time at Valencia at the beginning of February, the British team has announced. Full story...