Auto News 5

Nelson Piquet Snr has threatened legal action against Renault if the French carmaker does not apologise. Earlier this year, the former triple world champion's son was fired by Flavio Briatore, before the team's boss was ousted amid the crash-gate scandal and banned for life from involvement in motor racing. Full story...

After Hendrick Motorsports teammates, Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin, finished battling for the pole, rival Ryan Newman stepped up and claimed it for himself at Martinsville, VA. Newman, driving for Stewart-Haas Racing which obtains NASCAR Sprint Cup chassis and motors from Hendrick Motorsports, bumped Gordon off the pole, his second of the year and the 45th in his career. Full story...

Michael Schumacher has been tipped for a role at the FIA alongside his friend and former Ferrari boss Jean Todt. Todt was on Friday elected to succeed Max Mosley as the Paris based Federation's new president, and seven time world champion Schumacher was present as the votes were counted in the French capital. Full story...

Bernie Ecclestone insists he is prepared to scrub Britain's name from the 2010 calendar if Silverstone does not want to pay the going rate for its formula one race. With Donington's chances now all but over, it had been expected that the F1 chief executive might move to safeguard the British grand prix by reaching an alternate deal with the race's traditional venue. Full story...

Personalisation and customisation everywhere you go - the Personal Radio Research Project conducted in the context of BMW ConnectedDrive already showed in 2007 what potential lies in connecting the car's entertainment system to the World Wide Web. And while this service was intended only for audio content, it was clear even from the start in what direction users would develop their consumption of media in the vehicle. Full story...

A new EU project SARTRE is being launched to develop and test technology for vehicles that can drive themselves in long road trains on motorways. This technology has the potential to improve traffic flow and journey times, offer greater comfort to drivers, reduce accidents, and improve fuel consumption and hence lower CO2 emissions. Full story...

One of the surprises at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show comes from Japanese manufacturer Suzusho. Called "Supasse V," this little two-seater features scissor doors, a lightweight unibody chassis and exclusive suspensions developed by the company's head honcho, Toshio Suzuki, with the help of his two sons. Full story...

Like many more recent Hyundai models, the Sonata attracts scores of shoppers with its value-based pricing, nice-looking body and promise of lengthy warranty coverage. The fifth-generation of the Korean automaker's elemental family car is now on sale, doing battle with the likes of the Ford Fusion, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. In fact, it's already gone through a mid-cycle facelift. Full story...

Dodgeand#8217;s redesigned 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty pickups all carry lower prices than the old models theyand#8217;re replacing. The base model 2010 Ram 2500 regular cab 4x2 with a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 starts at $28,165, including shipping. Full story...

Nissan is adding more consumer electronics to the 2010 Nissan Altima, Maxima and Sentra to give the sedans a mid-cycle lift. Full story...

Lead-generator Autobytel Inc., which hasn't posted a profit since 2004, narrowed its third-quarter net loss by 86 percent but still posted its biggest deficit of the year. Autobytel posted a $799,000 third-quarter loss yesterday, down from the $5. Full story...

Labor violence at a Ford Motor Co. supplier in India has caused a shortage of transmission parts that will idle Ford's Oakville, Ontario, assembly plant next week. Full story...

Labor violence at a Ford Motor Co. supplier in India has caused a shortage of transmission parts that will idle Fordand#8217;s Oakville, Ontario, assembly plant next week. Full story...

In News Brake: We take the Bentley Continental Supersports for a spin, the FIA has a new president, and Ford uses "Noise Vision" to tune its interiors . . . But Wait, There's More! Full story...

In News Brake: we take the Bentley Continental Supersports for a spin, the FIA has a new president, and Ford uses "Noise Vision" to tune its interiors . . . But Wait, There's More! Full story...

Volkswagen of America said today it tapped Interpublic Group of Cos.' Deutsch, Los Angeles, as its new national and regional creative agency of record in a closely-watched review. Full story...

Volkswagen of America today tapped Interpublic Group of Cos.' Deutsch, Los Angeles, as its new national and regional creative agency of record in a closely-watched review, according to executives familiar with the matter. Full story...

Bridgestone is close tyre manufacturing plants in Australia and New Zealand. Full story...

Independent contract carmaker and convertible roof-top specialist Karmann is nearing liquidation as new orders remain out of sight and customers remain unwilling to pay their bills. Full story...

All Porsches to get paddleshift pdk option Full story...