Auto News 5

Cypress, Calif. - Nitto Tire announces the release of its all-new D.O.T.-compliant competition drag radial, the NT05R. The NT05R is Nitto's most aggressive drag radial designed for competition use. Nitto will officially debut the tire at this year's SEMA show, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from November 3 to 6, 2009. Visit Nitto at booth #46115 to see the tire. The NT05R will be available for purchase in the first quarter of 2010. Full story...

Volkswagen was looking to become an active player in the small and affordable compact car class. As the import fees on the European Polo are too high, the automaker decided to take a model that had reached the end of the road, so to speak and tweak its style and drop its price. Behold, the Golf City (same story for the Jetta City). A simple, yet efficient and ingenious formula. Full story...

General Motors Co.'s and Chrysler Group's dealer cuts will erode the companies' market share in small- and mid-sized markets, auto industry researcher David Cole said this week. Full story...

General Motors Co.and#8217;s and Chrysler Groupand#8217;s dealer cuts will erode the companiesand#8217; market share in small- and mid-sized markets, auto industry researcher David Cole said this week. Full story...

Russian tycoon and GAZ owner Oleg Deripaska visited the U.S. twice this year, his spokesman said. During one of those visits he met with GM CEO Fritz Henderson and Magna co-CEO Siegfried Wolf. GAZ is seeking a role as an industrial partner in Opel. Full story...

Ford Motor Co.'s U.S. factory workers moved a step closer late Friday to delivering a landslide rejection of proposed concessions while the UAW leadership said the union would not return to talks with the automaker until 2011. Full story...

Nissan Motor Co. CEO Carlos Ghosn said this week that his Franco-Japanese alliance is ready to produce a half million electric car batteries annually, but market conditions would determine when. Full story...

Russian tycoon and GAZ owner Oleg Deripaska visited the U.S. twice this year, his spokesman said. During one of those visits he met with GM CEO Fritz Henderson and Magna co-CEO Siegfried Wolf. GAZ is seeking a role as an industrial partner in Opel. Full story...

Volkswagen AG said it will build a new pickup truck in Argentina before the end of the year that it will aim at export markets starting in the first quarter of 2010. Full story...

Russian tycoon and GAZ owner Oleg Deripaska visited the United States twice this year, his spokesman said on Friday, but declined to say if he solved a visa dispute with the United States. During one of those visits he met with General Motors Co. Full story...

The auto industry could be forced to improve the fuel efficiency of vans sold in the European Union by more than 10 percent by 2016 in the fight against climate change. Full story...

Pony car lovers rejoice Dodge officials unveiled their latest design for the Nationwide Series, the Dodge Challenger, at Talladega Speedway this weekend. Dodge also announced it will support a two-car Penske Racing team in the Nationwide series consisting of Justin Allgaier and Brad Keselowski who will Full story...

Heikki Kovalainen has given yet another major hint that Sunday will be his last grand prix at the wheel of a McLaren. The Finn has confirmed he is set to make his debut in a professional rally this winter -- an activity forbidden by contract as he drove in formula one for the British team in 2008 and 2009. Full story...

Jimmie Johnson's quest to become the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion to win the title four-straight times got a little assist from Mother Nature as qualifying for Talladega was rained out on Saturday. This was the sixth time this year that qualifying was rained out for a Sprint Cup race and the field is set by the points standings. Full story...

Lewis Hamilton completely dominated the last minutes of this first qualifying session in Abu Dhabi, taking back pole position every lap he completed. Ultimately, he was the only driver with a time under 1:41 (1.40:948) on the 5.554 km track. Full story...

Bruno Senna is confirmed at Campos. Latest rumours about Adrian Sutil, Giancarlo Fisichella, Sebastian Buemi, Nelson Piquet, Nick Heidfeld and others. Full story...

Damon Hill will be acting in his capacity as president of the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC)when he arrives to Abu Dhabi. The BRDC owns Silverstone, and its managing director Richard Phillips and other officials of the Northamptonshire have all gathered for crucial talks with Bernie Ecclestone about the 2010 British grand prix. Full story...

Lewis Hamilton completely dominated the last minutes of this first qualifying session in Abu Dhabi, taking back pole position every lap he completed. Ultimately, he was the only driver with a time under 1:41 (1.40:948) on the 5.554 km track. Full story...

On November 1, the least-used BIXI stations will be removed, and the size of several others will be reduced. BIXI's first season will end on the same date that the City of Montréal's bicycle paths are closed: November 15. Next year's season will begin on May 1, 2010. Full story...

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., As the centerpiece of this year's Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, Rhys Millen Racing (RMR) fabricated a Genesis Coupe with the award-winning 4.6-liter Tau V8 powerplant to develop the RM460 Genesis Coupe. The mid-engine configuration and enhancements create a 500-horsepower street car worthy of taking on any track or road course. Full story...