Auto News 5

General Motors is trying to cement an agreement with Magna International to buy its European unit, Opel, but is willing to broaden discussions if necessary, GM CEO Fritz Henderson said. Full story...

A majority of members of the two families controlling Porsche back a deal for the Gulf state of Qatar to acquire a 25 percent stake in the luxury car maker, a German magazine said. Full story...

New partners Brembo and SGL Group predict that demand for carbon ceramic brake discs will rise sharply once they find ways to reduce the high cost of a component. Full story...

DETROIT - General Motors President and Chief Executive Officer Fritz Henderson today announced that Bob Socia, currently executive vice president of Shanghai General Motors (SGM), will be appointed GM vice president, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain, effective July 1. Socia will report to Henderson and will become a member of GM's Automotive Strategy Board. Full story...

NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of digital map, traffic and location data for in-vehicle, portable, wireless and enterprise solutions has announced that the Volvo Car Corporation is the first automotive company to introduce NAVTEQ MapCare - a map update program - for new, premium segment vehicles. Full story...

The Ford Taurus - the car that changed America's view of sedans - is all-new for 2010, with an expressive design, impeccable driving dynamics, class-leading technologies and unsurpassed value. Full story...

Polish rider Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) dominated the Erzberg today, winning by an incredible 42 min. advantage after more than two tough hours of racing on the 45 km track laid out in an open-air steel mine pit. Graham Jarvis (Sherco) was second after a steady, error-free race aboard a smaller 250cc four stroke machine. Andy Lettenbichler came in third on a BMW. Full story...

The administrator of the Brawn F1 blog has posted today very interesting news about the property of the Brawn GP Team, née Honda... Full story...

MIRABEL, Que. (June 14) - Saskatoon's Brett McCormick completed a dominant weekend at Circuit ICAR with victory in Sunday's second round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship, presented by Moto Journal. Full story...

MIRABEL, Que. (June 14) - Saskatoon's Brett McCormick completed a dominant weekend at Circuit ICAR with victory in Sunday's second round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship, presented by Moto Journal. Full story...

This time, the turbo diesel Peugeot 908s did not fail. For their 3rd participation, the French prototypes managed to maintain a very high pace in order to beat Le Mans masters for the past ten years, Audi. Full story...

According to Bernie Ecclestone, Formula 1's political crisis is grinding on with no solution in sight because it is not about disputed rules but "power". Full story...

Last weekend's Le Mans winner, Ferrari test driver and veteran of 36 grands prix Marc Gené has been named as a possible driver for a new Spanish formula one team. Full story...

It has been over one year since BMW Manufacturing announced it would invest $750 million in its upstate South Carolina factory to add 1.5 million square feet. Since that time, design, engineering and construction crews have been busy constructing the new 1.2 million square foot assembly facility and have added 80% or 300,000 square feet to the existing paint shop. Full story...

Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is proudly presenting its history "in motion": In a 2 ½-film "The Porsche Way", the Company presents its entire history from the early years up to the present day on one full-coverage DVD. Starting with the lifetime achievements of Ferdinand and Ferry Porsche, the film focuses in eight chapters on the development of the famous sports car manufacturer, proceeding from one decade to the next. "This is the first time that a car maker is presented so exhaustively on a DVD", says Dieter Landenberger, the Director of the Porsche Archives. Full story...

Having secured a spot on the 2010 grid, new formula one entrant Team US F1 expects to select drivers for the North Carolina-based outfit "pretty soon". Full story...

New rumours have arisen linking Coca-Cola with a sponsorship foray in formula one. Full story...

According to NASCAR Chief Executive Brian France, foreign manufacturers have expressed their interest in joining professional stock car racing in North America and talks with several companies have been ongoing for a long time. Full story...

Just a year after the celebrations for the Centenary and as ever a synonym of refined technologies and high performance engines, Alfa Romeo announces the marketing from September of the Alfa Romeo MiTo with 1.4 Turbo petrol MultiAir engines, the revolutionary technology developed and patented by FPT - Fiat Powertrain Technologies. Full story...

Mazda Motor Corporation today announced the successful launch of the newly developed Aqua-tech Paint System for vehicle body painting at its Ujina Plant No.1 in Japan. Full story...