Auto News 5

Mike Crowley will be battling history as he tries to sell Ford's new EcoBoost engine. His job: Persuade consumers to pay extra for an optional engine that's no bigger than the standard engine. Full story...

General Motors' profitable Chinese unit, and the Buick brand it relies on, would be protected if the automaker files for bankruptcy, a senior executive says. Full story...

Volkswagen is preparing to choose suppliers for the mid-sized sedan it will produce at a factory under construction in Chattanooga, Tenn., said Stefan Jacoby, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America Inc. Full story...

Jim Brodie struck a theme that was repeated often during a black-tie ceremony presenting the 2009 Automotive News PACE Awards on Monday, April 20. Full story...

Cautious lenders have raised the stakes for dealers if General Motors or Chrysler LLC files for bankruptcy: At risk are the personal assets of many dealers. Lenders that provide inventory credit lines have required more than half of U.S. Full story...

A nine-week summer shutdown at most of General Motors' North American plants could bankrupt as many as 10 percent of GM's top 300 parts makers, says a source familiar with GM's thinking. Full story...

Toyota Motor Corp.'s North American auto plants are warehousing key parts to safeguard against supply chain interruptions caused by supplier failures. Full story...

Fiat wants to forge an alliance with Chrysler LLC even if the company is forced into Chapter 11, according to a source familiar with the matter. Full story...

At a press conference held this morning in Detroit, General Motors announced that it will kill the Pontiac brand and reduce its US dealership network by half. An updated Viability Plan presented explains how GM "will accelerates the timeline for a number of important actions and makes deeper cuts in several key areas of it's operations." Full story...

The folks at Mazda have every reason to smile right now. For 2009, they introduced the completely-redesigned Mazda6 sedan and, for 2010, the forecast calls for an avalanche of model updates. Both the CX-7 and CX-9 crossovers will be partially revamped. Same thing for the popular MX-5 roadster. However, the biggest news comes in small packages, namely the next-generation Mazda3 and Mazda3 Sport. Full story...

MISSISSAUGA, ON (April 27, 2009) - As Nissan enters its 2009 fiscal year, the company has introduced a new management and operational structure for the Americas designed to capitalize on synergies across the region while focusing on individual market and consumer needs. Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the newly reconfigured Management Committee-Americas, described the integrated plan for growth in the region as a renewed commitment to delighting customers with innovative ideas for the joy of everyday driving. Full story...

James Stewart (Yamaha) won his 11th AMA SX race of 2009 in front of more than 40,000 fans, and builds on his lead in the championship. Arch-rival Chad Reed (Suzuki) hangs in there with another second place finish. Full story...

Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) took the second win of his MotoGP career at Motegi, beating polesitter and teammate Valentino Rossi as the manufacturer took a home one-two. Full story...

Ben Spies (Yamaha) won his fourth race of the season today at Essen by literally stealing it from leader Noriyuki Haga (Ducati) with an outstanding overtaking move just three corners from the chequered flag. But, unfortunately for Spies, things did not go as well in the second race when he fell on the second lap and the race was won by his eternal rival and championship leader Haga. Full story...

BMW-Sauber team boss Mario Theissen has refused to back Flavio Briatore's claim that FOTA is seeking a KERS ban for the 2010 season. Full story...

The first edition of the Enduro of Champions Pole-Position Speed HD indoor karting event was held April 25 at Kart-O-Mania, Montreal. Twelve teams entered in the grueling and exhausting six-hour race, including one from Auto123.com. Full story...

At a press conference held this morning in Detroit, General Motors announced that it will kill the Pontiac brand and reduce its US dealership network by half. An updated Viability Plan presented explains how GM "will accelerates the timeline for a number of important actions and makes deeper cuts in several key areas of it's operations." Full story...

General Motors of Canada will follow the lead of the US branch by reducing the number of dealerships across the country by 42 percent as several nameplates will be tossed aside. The announcement came earlier this morning. Full story...

At 9:08 a.m. this morning, the US 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Challenge team hit the 1,600-kilometer (1,000-mile) mark on a single tank of gas, and is continuing its ultimate fuel-efficiency challenge with nearly one-third of a tank of fuel remaining! Full story...

Christophe Tinseau's Pescarolo Judd set the best lap time of the two testing days of testing held at the Le Mans-Bugatti circuit, in Le Mans in preparation for the famed 24 Hours event. Full story...