Auto News 5

Mercedes-Benz has adjusted option packages on its new GLK-class premium SUV to help cope with an oversupply of high-priced versions. Ernst Lieb, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, said the company exported too many high-end models for the January U.S. launch. Full story...

Big, powerful albeit gas-guzzling SUVs are not exactly popular these days -- and understandably so. If you really need one, that's fine, but if you're merely looking for fun and minimum ruggedness, you're likely more interested in something smaller. Full story...

FEV, Inc., (FEV) a leading developer of advanced powertrain and vehicle technologies, announced today that it will unveil the Hummer H3 Range-Extended Electric Vehicle (ReEV) demonstrator at the upcoming 2009 SAE World Congress, held at Cobo Center in Detroit on April 20 - 24. FEV partnered with Utah-based Raser Technologies (Raser) in the development of the H3 ReEV, the first vehicle equipped with Raser's range-extended electric vehicle technology. The H3 ReEV will be on display in the FEV booth. The unveiling of the H3 ReEV comes one year after FEV and Raser first showed the technology as a concept at last year's World Congress. The announcement was made jointly by Gary Rogers, FEV, Inc. president and CEO and Jim Spellman, Raser VP of Business Development. Full story...

A Grand Prix car of one of Hitler's favourite racers is expected to fetch a whopping $8.1 million, when it goes under the hammer later this year. Full story...

The ING Renault F1 Team completed a successful Roadshow in Dubai this weekend as race driver Nelson Piquet led the demonstrations along with third driver Romain Grosjean and demo driver Adam Khan. Full story...

On the heels of record March sales, KIA Canada Inc. today announced the pricing and specifications of the all-new 2010 KIA Forte compact sedan. The 2010 Forte was developed under the leadership of world acclaimed designer Peter Schreyer and represents the first step in KIA's exciting brand evolution. Full story...

Following two immensely disappointing Grands Prix so far this season, the Scuderia Ferrari has decided to restructures its trackside operations with immediate effect. Full story...

The countdown for the 2009 DTM series starts with the year's first official DTM, three-day test at circuit Dijon-Prenois in France. Full story...

A1 Team Ireland has lost its second place finish in the Feature race in the Vodafone A1Grand Prix at Algarve, Portugal. Full story...

It appears that Canadian race car driver Paul Tracy will be part of the upcoming Indianapolis 500 and this should be confirmed when the entry list is made public this coming week. Full story...

EcoBoost engine technology, the hybrid system that led the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid to best-in-class 41 highway mpg and Ford's aggressive electrification plan will be key topics of discussion during the 2009 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress on April 20-23. This year's conference theme: "Racing to Green Mobility." Full story...

The greatest number of ''works supported'' Jaguars ever will take part in this year's Mille Miglia, with a D-type, four C-types and a Mark VII saloon being supported by Jaguar Cars and the Jaguar Heritage Trust. Full story...

Small cars are big this year at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), but not only contemporary ones. Besides the bold little Scion iQ and the surprising smart fortwo, the Vintage Microcar Club of Evanston, Illinois has a display of its own with a tiny star: a 1965 Peel P50 owned by the Lane Motor Museum of Nashville, Tennessee. Full story...

The U.K. is looking into the possibility of introducing a car scrappage scheme to boost new-car sales, but two major government departments are at odds over the incentive, a press report said. Full story...

You may not be familiar with SAAB, the car company and the reason for that is the company tends to make quirky cars that aren't easily pigeonholed in mainstream buyers minds. They are in effect ''that other Swedish car maker'' which at one time was more famous for their Viggen attack fighters than their cars. Full story...

A very limited number of 2010 J8's will be made available to enthusiasts in the United States exclusively from American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) as the AEV J8 MILSPEC. Full story...

Young driver Joey Logano (Camry No 20) won his first race of the year, the second of his NASCAR career, the Nationwide Pepsi 300 run at the 1.3-mile Nashville Superspeedway on Saturday afternoon. Full story...

F1 could return to Canada, and New York is the only viable alternative to Indianapolis for a US grand prix, the sport's chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has admitted. Full story...

Force India is yet to deploy the two main innovations allowed by F1's 2009 regulations, Adrian Sutil has revealed. Full story...

Lewis Hamilton apologised personally for lying to stewards to FIA race director Charlie Whiting, it has emerged. In the meantime, Adrian Sutil has hinted at racism against the driver that could leave McLaren. Full story...