Auto News 5

A General Motors assembly plant in suburban Detroit will be awarded the work on GM's coveted subcompact car project, ahead of plants in Tennessee and Wisconsin, according to a wire service report today. Full story...

2009 Mini Cooper S Convertible

If you like the Mini formula in hardtop form, you'll love the 2009 Mini Cooper S Convertible.

I went to the media introduction of the first-generation Mini Cooper convertible back in May 2004, and I had three lasting impressions: 1) it's a cute car, probably too cute for some, but perfect for any part of the world near a shoreline; 2) it drives very well, with excellent roadholding, steering, and a decent powertrain; 3) the exposed hinges on the rear hatch were unacceptably tacky looking.

Photo Gallery: 2009 Mini Cooper S Convertible - MINI Convertible Sports Car Review - Automobile Magazine

Read More | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

Full story...

Delphi Corp. salaried retirees picketed outside General Motors' headquarters today, hoping to spur the bankrupt automaker to assume payment of their pensions if Delphi emerges from its own Chapter 11 reorganization as planned. Full story...

Delphi Corp. salaried retirees picketed outside General Motors' headquarters today, hoping to spur the bankrupt automaker to assume payment of their pensions if Delphi emerges from its own Chapter 11 reorganization as planned. Full story...

The House plans to vote by Saturday on a controversial climate-change bill that would double federal loans for plug-in electric vehicles and other advanced-technology cars, congressional spokeswomen said today. Full story...

The House plans to vote by Saturday on a controversial climate-change bill that would double federal loans for plug-in electric vehicles and other advanced-technology cars, congressional spokeswomen said today. Full story...

GMC will price its new five-passenger Terrain crossover starting at $24,995, including shipping. The Terrain's release in September marks General Motors' shift to include direct injection on mainstream models. Full story...

General Motors received final court approval today to borrow up to $33.3 billion from the U.S., Canadian and Ontario governments to carry the automaker through its bankruptcy. Full story...

Chrysler Group LLC has sued TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., accusing the auto parts company of refusing to supply parts and thereby jeopardizing its resumption of production next Monday after a two-month shutdown. Full story...

Chrysler Group LLC has sued TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., accusing the auto parts company of refusing to supply parts and thereby jeopardizing its resumption of production next Monday after a two-month shutdown. Full story...

The Chevrolet Volt is nearing full power as preproduction cars are now prowling the roads around the General Motors Tech Center in suburban Detroit. Full story...

The Chevy Volt is nearing full power as preproduction cars are now prowling the roads around the GM Tech Center in suburban Detroit. Full story...

In today's News Brake: The Chevy Volt gets a jolt; if you want to dump a clunker, cozy up to a dealer; and Mercedes will help you get the most from your AMG ... But Wait, There's More! Full story...

Sweden's industry minister said the government was still in the dark on how much funding Koenigsegg Group, the new owner of Saab Automobile, would inject into the carmaker and whether loan guarantees would be needed. Full story...

Dealers will decide which new car buyers receive trade-in allowances of up US$4,500 against new vehicle purchases under the $1bn federal "cash for clunkers" programme US president Barack Obama signed into law this week, a government agency said. Meanwhile, the American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) on Thursday claimed criminals and some "unscrupulous" dealers were already using it to dupe consumers. Full story...

Less than a month after GMAC Financial Services extended interim inventory financing to Chrysler dealers, the company has given some of those retailers their walking papers. Full story...

Bridgestone has bosted its operating profit forecast for 2009 24% on Thursday, noting the yen was less strong than it expected. Full story...

Michelin could cut as many as 3,500 jobs in France by 2011, it said on Thursday. Full story...

Renault has decided to replace a French executive vice president at Russian carmaker AvtoVAZ, in which it owns a 25 percent stake. Full story...

A cross-section of the motor industry representing volume manufacturers, niche vehicle producers and component suppliers has formed the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders' (SMMT) new electric vehicle group. Full story...