Auto News 5

BMW's Q5 beating X1 finally breaks cover

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There has been another lift in the sale of new vehicles in New Zealand with June's new car sales figures showing an 8% increase over May's registrations. However, year-so-far totals were still behind 2008. Full story...

BMW plans to celebrate a Mini milestone at its Oxford, UK plant on Monday when the 1.5 millionth car comes off the line at 10.45. Full story...

BMW will continue working short hours in its German plants in the second half of this year, a company spokesman has said. Full story...

Ford was the top-selling automaker in Canada last month, for the first time in over 50 years, after selling 27,408 units, up 24.6% year on year and the first such increase in 2009. Full story...

The Renault-Nissan alliance and EDF have announced the launch of a large-scale electric vehicle test in the Paris region. Full story...

Volkswagen Group China's executive vice president, sales and marketing, Weiming Soh, has been named to an additional VW Passenger Cars role running sales activities in Hong Kong, the ASEAN countries and Taiwan, effective 1 August. Full story...

UK government business secretary Lord Peter Mandelson is today (3 July) visiting GM's van plant in Luton to meet unions and Vauxhall workers. Full story...

The head of Fiat's UK distribution company believes the brand is making good progress to transform its prospects and reposition itself ahead of what he thinks will be a concerted challenge, globally, for European brands from emerging companies in places like China. Full story...

I'll avoid admitting how old I am, but I recall seeing the very first Camaros driving down the streets of my hometown. Of course, I'm not old enough to have driven one back then, which is why I was so excited at the prospect of finally sitting behind the wheel of this American icon. Full story...

A leaked email has confirmed that Richard Branson's Virgin Group has decided to buy a share of the new Manor formula one team. However, team director John Booth would not confirm this report on Friday. Full story...

Team McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton on Thursday said he would miss his colleague Pedro de la Rosa if the Spanish test driver leaves McLaren at the end of 2009. Full story...

Substitute driver Will Power will be back with Penske Racing to drive the No.12 Penske Truck Rental /Dallara Honda for five more races starting with the July 12 event in Toronto. Full story...

Suddenly you note that your trailer has a life of its own. While driving downhill, it starts weaving back and forth by itself and things don't improve when you apply the brakes. You break into a sweat and you're close to panicking. Full story...

It still can't be considered a true revival of Canadian automotive sales, but moral is definitely up with several automakers, which have recorded an increase in sales during the last month. In fact, the Canadian average, a 13.2% drop, is the best recorded since the beginning of 2009. Full story...

BMW Group Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen McDonnell as Director, Sales for BMW Canada, John Cappella as Director, MINI Canada and Michael Ferreira as Regional Manager, Central Region, BMW Canada effective July 1, 2009. As Director, Sales, Stephen McDonnell will report to Franz Jung, President and CEO, BMW Group Canada. In his new role, Stephen will be responsible for BMW Sales, Sales Operations and Regional Operations. Full story...

Following media speculation, MUGEN EURO Co., Ltd has confirmed the development of a highly-tuned Honda Civic Type R 'MUGEN' concept prototype road car, using the same powertrain as the Civic MUGEN RR saloon launched in 2007 in Japan. Full story...

In a study entitled "The automobile industry confronted with a decline in global demand," Euler Hermes SFAC reviews the outlook for the sector. A plunge in global demand and massive destocking are such that in future, the industry will need to find ways to share certain costs through tie-ups and alliances. Full story...

NASCAR Nationwide series' drivers Patrick Carpentier, Carl Edwards and Kenny Wallace were the guests of a press conference held Friday at the Daytona International Speedway. Full story...

Whitby, ON. BMW Canada is pleased to confirm that the BMW X1 will go on sale in Canada in calendar year 2011. The X1 has been conceived with the flexibility to offer traditional rear-wheel drive and xDrive all-wheel drive configurations, as well as a wide variety of gasoline and diesel powertrain choices. In light of rapidly evolving North American market demands, fuel prices, and regulatory standards, elements of the X1's Canadian launch plan, including engine and drivetrain configurations, are not yet confirmed and will be announced closer to market launch. Full story...