Auto News 5

A Volvo that can be fuelled with electricity from a standard wall socket will be a reality in 2012. Swedish energy company Vattenfall and the Volvo Car Corporation are launching an industrial joint venture partnership to introduce plug-in hybrids on the market. The ground-breaking technology will considerably lower the environmental impact from traffic. In addition, owning a plug-in hybrid vehicle will be convenient since you can fuel up at home and fuel costs are significantly lower. Full story...

Even though he was not starting from pole, Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) tried his best to earn his 8th victory in a row at the Italian Grand Prix in Mugello, but in the end, Casey Stoner (Ducati) made off with his first ever victory at this venue. Full story...

Max Mosley supports the influx of prospective new names to the formula one entry list. Full story...

Jarno Trulli made a visit to Canada after the recent Monaco grand prix. Full story...

Aurora, ON - Magna International Inc. announced today that, following extensive negotiations over the past several days with various stakeholders, including representatives of German federal and state governments, GM Europe, General Motors Corporation and the US Treasury, it has reached a conceptual framework that should allow Opel to avoid a possible insolvency filing and pursue the restructuring required for its immediate and long-term viability. Full story...

Starting now, you officially need a passport -- and lots and lots of patience -- to cross the border. Indeed, as of June 1, 2009, Canadians who wish to enter the United States at its land or water crossings must present this document. Full story...

It's official since 8 AM: General Motors is going bankrupt. U.S. President Barack Obama will hold a press conference at noon, while GM CEO Fritz Henderson will follow 15 minutes later with the company's statement. Full story...

MISSISSAUGA, ON, - UPS Canada has committed to investing in the growth of its fleet of alternative fuel vehicles with the introduction of 167 new liquid propane-fuelled trucks. Full story...

SEAT and BMW dominated one race apiece in the fifth event of the season that attracted a crowd of 32,000 over the two days. Full story...

David Reutimann (Camry No 00) had the pole at the Monster Mile of the Dover International Speedway on Sunday afternoon for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race. Full story...

Two more prospective small entrants are reported to have signed up to compete in next year's formula one world championship. Full story...

Kimi Raikkonen at the weekend crashed out of his latest foray into the world of professional rallying. Full story...

Adrian Sutil, whose contract expires this season, will not rule out departing Force India at the end of 2009. Full story...

It's not often that a car company is confident enough about its product to send out a base model as the press car. Usually press cars have all the bells and whistles on them, since nearly 80% of consumers buy at the top or close to the top of the model range. My Yaris LE, four door sedan did have one trim package so it really wasn't "bare bones", but the convenience package for the five speed manual gearbox version doesn't add much. Full story...

General Motors on Monday will name Al Koch as chief restructuring officer, according to a source familiar with the effort. Full story...

The Obama Administration expects to take General Motors into Chapter 11 bankruptcy Monday and quickly get the carmaker out with $30.1 billion in bankruptcy financing, the White House said in a statement. Full story...

Suppliers with outstanding receivables not covered by last Thursday's $2 billion early payment by General Motors are likely to be paid even if the automaker files for bankruptcy, which is expected tomorrow. Full story...

Volkswagen AG's chief labor representative, Bernd Osterloh, said he had little faith in Porsche's two top managers and said unions were still skeptical about merging the carmakers. Full story...

For decades, unionized manufacturing jobs have been considered the surest path to middle-class prosperity and realizing the vaunted American dream for blue-collar workers. The UAW helped make that dream a reality. Full story...

French unions at tire maker Continental AG said on Sunday they had won an agreement from management to give them a minimum payoff of 50,000 euros ($69,970) in compensation for the plant's closure. Full story...