Auto News 5

Visteon, the bankrupt parts maker once owned by Ford, is seeking court permission to stop paying health and life insurance costs for up to 7,000 retired workers. Full story...

Ssangyong Motor Co., currently under bankruptcy protection, posted its seventh consecutive quarterly loss following worker protests which paralysed production for more than two months. Full story...

The new entity formed by the merger of Volkswagen AG and Porsche AG aims to become the world's largest carmaker says Lower Saxony state's premier, Christian Wulff. Full story...

It's perhaps something to reflect on when you next get in a car. This week Volvo has celebrated the 50th anniversary of what it describes as 'the most important automobile safety device ever invented: the three-point safety belt'. Full story...

Environment groups in the US have expressed concern with what they see as GM's reckless claim that it is not responsible for funding the recycling of potentially hazardous mercury switches from its old vehicles - more of which are being scrapped under 'cash for clunkers'. Full story...

Environment groups in the US have expressed concern with what they see as GM's reckless claim that it is not responsible for funding the recycling of potentially hazardous mercury switches from its old vehicles - more of which are being scrapped under 'cash for clunkers'. Full story...

After reports circulated widely yesterday that GM and Magna were at or very close to agreement on the sale of Opel and that Magna had dealt with GM's Magna bid concerns, GM has today stressed that it has not reached agreement with Magna. Full story...

Vehicle sales in Thailand fell 3.6% year-on-year in July, the 14th consecutive month to show a drop although the rate of decline slowed. Full story...

The Auto Union name could be revived as the name for the new Volkswagen-Porsche combined entity which will be led by VW CEO Martin Winterkorn. Full story...

Magna International Inc. says it has reached an agreement in principle to buy a controlling stake in General Motors Co.'s Opel/Vauxhall unit, but GM is not rushing into a decision. Full story...

This Friday, in a festive ceremony, Porsche Automobil Holding SE, Stuttgart, and Qatar Holding LLC (QH) signed an agreement signaling the entry of the Emirate of Qatar into the Porsche SE family. In the afternoon, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Porsche SE, Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, welcomed the high-ranking delegation from Qatar led by Prime Minister of the Emirate, Sheik Hamad ibn Jassim ibn Jabir Al-Thani, to the historical Porsche Villa located on Killesberg Hill outside of Stuttgart. Full story...

For any brand that sells prestige, looks are fundamental. After years of identity crisis and soul searching, Acura finally seems to have found its defining character. The company's slogan is "Advance", but I would rather call it "The Future is Now". Full story...

MotoGP star rider Valentino Rossi insists he has not been offered injured Felipe Massa's Ferrari cockpit, and nor is he available. Full story...

The mayor of Montreal has finally pencilled some dates onto rising speculation that the Canadian grand prix is set to return to the formula one calendar. Full story...

It's been a roller coaster year for young Brad Keselowski. Although he's a proven winner (Talladega in May); it's almost September and he's not announced a full-time deal for next season. Full story...

The Ford Cisitalia 808XF could have been the American automaker's first production sports car, but that's not how it turned out -- the Thunderbird holds that prestigious honor. Anyway, the only 808XF ever produced will make its first appearance on Canadian soil during the inaugural edition of the Le Mirage Concours d'Élégance on Sunday, August 16, 2009, at Le Mirage Golf Club in Terrebonne, Quebec. Vintage car aficionados will be able to discover this unique machine and its amazing story. Full story...

A team of 30 students from Montreal's École de Technologie Supérieure (ETS) has officially launched its car, dubbed Eclipse, a solar-powered vehicle entered in the 2009 World Solar Challenge held in Australia on October 25 to 31. They are one of two teams from Quebec that will be competing this year, alongside the École Polytechnique. Full story...

Canadian Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 Formula 1 World Champion, on Friday announced he is no longer married. Full story...

The ultimate fire-fighting vehicle is ready for the 'ring. Nissan has today presented a specially redesigned GT-R to Nürburgring GmbH, providing the fastest possible response to emergency calls at Nürburgring's Nordschleife circuit. Full story...

Lessons learned in Juan Pablo Montoya's quest for the 1999 CART Championship have shaped his strategy to stay in the Chase (he's 7th now) for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Full story...