Auto News 5

Hitachi Vehicle Energy has developed a lithium-ion battery claimed to have the industry's highest power density of 4,500W/kg, 1.7 times the output of the company's current mass-produced, automotive lithium-ion batteries. Full story...

Takata, Japan's largest manufacturer of air bags and seat belts, is to close three factories, two in Mexico and one in Europe, with the loss of 2,100 jobs because of falling demand from carmakers. Full story...

The cash-for-clunkers scheme has officially kicked off, but who are the winners and losers...

Full story...

Carmakers are anticipating a sales boost from a scrappage incentive launched in the U.K. on Monday. Full story...

Carmakers are anticipating a sales boost from a scrappage incentive launched in the U.K. on Monday. Ford Motor Co. Full story...

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne and leaders of Germany's IG Metall union, including head Berthold Huber, are scheduled to meet today (19 May) as Marchionne attempts to win the union's support for his bid to buy a majority stake in Opel from General Motors. Full story...

President Barack Obama is expected later on Tuesday (19 May) to propose the most aggressive increase in US vehicle fuel efficiency ever in a policy initiative that would also directly regulate emissions for the first time and resolve a dispute with California over cleaner cars. Full story...

Any new company resulting from a merger of Volkswagen and Porsche should be open to outside investors, according to the German state of Lower Saxony, VW's second-biggest shareholder. Full story...

Any new company resulting from a merger of Volkswagen and Porsche should be open to outside investors, according to the German state of Lower Saxony, VW's second-biggest shareholder. Full story...

Spy shooters always capture shadowy figures, but now we’ve seen a veritable Ghost--as in a Rolls-Royce Ghost. Full story...

British car dealer Lookers said on Tuesday it continued to talk with its lenders to ensure appropriate funding and that it was also considering alternative sources of capital to reduce the additional cost of bank borrowings. Full story...

British car dealer Lookers said on Tuesday it continued to talk with its lenders to ensure appropriate funding and that it was also considering alternative sources of capital to reduce the additional cost of bank borrowings. Full story...

President Barack Obama on Tuesday will propose the most aggressive increase in U.S. Full story...

President Barack Obama, flanked by auto executives, proposed the first U.S. regulation of auto emissions in a bid to reduce climate-warming greenhouse gases and lower dependence on foreign oil. The proposal would require the U.S. Full story...

President Barack Obama, flanked by auto executives, proposed the first U.S. regulation of auto emissions in a bid to reduce climate-warming greenhouse gases and lower dependence on foreign oil. The proposal would require the U.S. Full story...

Malibu is one of those cars that seem to fly just below the radar. Chevrolet keeps improving on the Malibu, even adding a hybrid option. Even without the big dollar ad campaigns, Malibu continues to sell well. In these turbulent times, Malibu may well be one of the ''bread and butter'' cars for Chevrolet as consumers look for the three ''R''s of new car buying; Reasonable size, Reasonable purchase cost and Reasonable operating costs (low maintenance and good fuel economy). Full story...

DETROIT - Cadillac was selected as the top brand in overall vehicle satisfaction in a survey of new vehicle buyers released today. AutoPacific's 2009 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards, generated from the experiences of actual new car and truck owners, named Cadillac as Top Brand for the second consecutive year. Full story...

The trial period of the pilot photo radar and red-light surveillance project begins today in the province of Québec. This three-month period will be followed by an 18 month long pilot project. Full story...

Toronto, ON - Trust. It's something Toyota Canada works very hard to earn from its customers. That's why Toyota is proud to be voted Canada's Most Trusted Brand in two categories - Passenger Car Manufacturer and SUV Manufacturer - in a national study commissioned by Reader's Digest. Full story...

"We just did not hit the set-up today". That is how Mat Mladin explained his first non win of the 2009 season in the Saturday race, ending up fifth behind winner Josh Hayes (Yamaha), Suzuki team mate Tommy Hayden, Larry Pegram (Ducati) and Aaron Yates aboard another Suzuki. Full story...