Auto News 5

A transport container carrying eight BMW formula one engines has been dropped at the Suzuka circuit in Japan. Full story...

Everything is new at www.mercedes-benz.com/classic: presented in customer-friendly form, the Portal has detailed information and offers relating to the classic vehicle activities of Mercedes-Benz, i.e. the Museum, Classic Center, Archive and Collection, Young Classics, Mercedes-Benz Clubs and Classic Magazine. A central contact point and single contact address make the site easy to use. Full story...

As Moto123.com announced last week, Ben Spies will join the semi-factory Tech3 Yamaha team for the 2010 MotoGP season, contrary to the cryptic denials issued by Yamaha in the past weeks. Full story...

The Indy Racing League has invited some regular drivers to test some aerodynamic adjustments that it hopes will improve the quality of racing at next year's Indianapolis 500. Full story...

With the launch of Winter Sports, a microsite appearing prominently on www.porsche.ca as well as the Web sites of Canadian dealers, Porsche Canada is launching a comprehensive marketing campaign designed to encourage Porsche customers to take full advantage of their vehicles' capabilities year-round. As well, it seeks to remove one of the traditional psychological barriers to buying a Porsche, demonstrating that, Cayenne or Cayman, Boxster or 911 or Panamera, every Porsche is designed, engineered and tested to put up with the worst Canadian winter conditions. Full story...

The most sophisticated and luxurious Hyundai ever has just been launched in South Korea. The long-wheelbase version of the Equus saloon is the largest and most expensive vehicle in the Hyundai line-up, rivalling the likes of the BMW 7-Series and the Mercedes S-Class. Prices for the Equus Limousine start at approximately £70,000 and go up to £80,000. Full story...

YOKOHAMA - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd today revealed the sketch of its global compact car. This model will be first launched in Thailand in March 2010 and will be available in more than 150 countries. Full story...

Jenson Button was relaxed when he spoke to the press on Thursday, even though he could secure his lifelong dream in Japan by the end of the weekend. Full story...

Fernando Alonso on Thursday said he hopes Ferrari will be his last formula one team. Full story...

Jacques Villeneuve has hit back at rumours his former engineer is involved in an unfair fight to win the 2009 world championship. Full story...

Renault will name the Ferrari-bound Fernando Alonso's replacement for the 2010 season "next week", the French team announced at Suzuka on Thursday. Full story...

If Bernie Ecclestone is up to date with inside information, he dropped a couple of big hints in the paddock of the Suzuka circuit on Thursday. Full story...

A colleague from the technical department was literally drooling with envy when I told him the subject of my latest road test. In fact, as soon as he saw the car enter the parking lot of our offices, he couldn't stop staring at it through the window. Of course, this guy bleeds BMW blue, but the fact is that anyone out there can recognize the style, charisma and excitement of the all-new 2009 Z4. Full story...

Volkswagen is to launch the Beetle in India. Full story...

GM Daewoo incurred a foreign exchange loss of nearly 3.1 trillion won (US$2.6bn) by mishandling currency risks last year, about 800 billion won more than previously revealed. Full story...

A four-year master labour contract ratified by members of the United Steelworkers union on 18 September "achieves the company's objectives and will help it to realize profitable growth by producing tyres in North America," Goodyear Tyre & Rubber Company said. Full story...

As India's car market enjoys a buoyant festival season, a number of cars such as Maruti's Dzire and Ritz, Honda's City, Hyundai's i20 and Toyota's Fortuner SUV are reportedly in short supply. Full story...

Striking hybrid concept points to a petrol-electric family car of tomorrow

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A senior Toyota executive has said that quitting Formula One racing was an option, partly in view of the costs involved, Japanese media have reported. Full story...

Manganese Bronze Holdings, maker of the trademark London taxi cabs, has issued a profit warning and said job losses are likely as part of a restructuring of its loss-making British operations. Full story...