Auto News 5

Scrappage scheme sales of 17,014 units accounted for 9.7% of June's UK new car registrations and 29,796 vehicles have been registered under the scheme since it began on 18 May, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said on Monday. Full story...

According to data released by JD Power Automotive Forecasting, car sales in Western Europe grew by 4.1% over last year in June, the first positive year-on-year result for over a year. Full story...

Sanyo Electric plans to quadruple sales of battery cells to automakers to $1bn by 2015 as sales of hybrid vehicles increase. Full story...

The UK's Serious Fraud Office is being called in to decide whether a criminal investigation should be launched into the 2005 collapse of carmaker MG Rover. Full story...

Toyota plans to spend US$500m to upgrade its Princeton, Indiana, assembly plant in what would be the company's largest such investment this year. Full story...

Chrysler on Sunday named its full new nine-member board following final appointments. Its first meeting is scheduled for 29 July. Full story...

Let the dismembering begin! Bankrupt General Motors last night passed another milestone on the road to restructuring when when judge Robert Gerber in a New York bankruptcy court approved the sale of substantially all of (old) General Motors Corporation's assets to NGMCO, Inc, an entity funded by the US Department of the Treasury. Full story...

New Jag XJ - the full story, SEAT Bocanegra driven, supermini diesels group test, MINI supertest supplement Full story...

The deal is done and Judge Robert E. Gerber of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court has approved General Motors's plan to divide its assets between the good and the bad GM. Full story...

Porsche announced it will show its all-new Panamera Gran Turismo to the North American public for the first time during Monterey Peninsula's Classic Car Week (August 9-16) that includes the Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, the Monterey Historics and the famed Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Full story...

Mat Mladin (Suzuki) earned his 10th AMA Superbike victory of the 2009 season in Sunday's race presented as part of the U.S. Grand Prix, presented at Laguna Seca. Full story...

Just weeks after the official 50th birthday celebration for the brand at the Silverstone track, the MINI plant in Oxford claims another milestone. Since production began in 2001, 1.5 million MINI units have been produced there. The milestone model, a MINI Clubman in Chili red, cleared the end of the production line in the presence of Business Minister Ian Lucas and BMW Group board member Ian Robertson. Full story...

LIVONIA, Mich.,-- H.E.A.T. (Help Eliminate Auto Thefts) warns Michigan residents to stay alert this summer as warm weather months often lead to carelessness among car owners, giving thieves easy access to personal property and vehicles. July is National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month and the Auto Theft Prevention Authority reports that August is the highest month for auto theft in Michigan. Full story...

The future of the German grand prix at Hockenheim, as well as the viability of Bernie Ecclestone's long-standing role at the head of F1's commercial rights, fell under a dark cloud on Monday. Full story...

It had been more than a year since the official Repsol Honda squad and often-injured lead rider Dani Pedrosa had a win, but the dry spell is now over as Pedrosa dominated Laguna Seca, registering a close victory in the United States Grand Prix. Full story...

Magellan, one of the leading GPS brands, introduces the Magellan Maestro 4700 GPS device. The ultra-slim device features a wide 4.7-inch color touch screen and includes many premium features to deliver a robust navigation experience for users. In addition to Magellan's OneTouch user interface, the Magellan Maestro 4700 device also performs advanced navigation tasks with built-in voice command capabilities and hands-free Bluetooth calling. Full story...

In May, 806 Canadians bought a Lexus RX premium crossover. While it may not seem like much, this number is actually a sales record for a single month since the model's Canadian debut in 1998. Full story...

Jaime Alguersuari's formula one debut could occur earlier than 2010, according to the latest speculation in Spain. Full story...

In May, 806 Canadians bought a Lexus RX premium crossover. While it may not seem like much, this number is actually a sales record for a single month since the model's Canadian debut in 1998. Full story...

Next year, the X3 will no longer be the smallest utility vehicle in BMW's stable. The brand is adding another model to their family of 'X' series vehicles called the X1, and says that their latest will combine expertise in interior comfort, exterior design and drivetrain efficiency for a new customer. Full story...