Auto News 5

General Motors has asked for $2.6 billion of low interest government loans to support the development of three new hybrid vehicles, according to a business plan update released on Wednesday. Full story...

The German government today named Daimler senior executive Ruediger Grube as its choice to take the helm at national rail network Deutsche Bahn. Full story...

"We'll grow in our time ... We're not unhappy with what we're doing." That is how Ian Forsyth, Nissan Canada's Director of Corporate and Product Planning, summed it all up, after responding to a pertinent question about Infiniti, namely, "Why it continues to lag behind in sales to perennial luxury makes leaders like BMW and Mercedes?" Full story...

Hyundai is expanding its lineup in every sense of the word. Hot on the heels of the ever-surprising Genesis sedan, the company is striking back with an all-new two-door variant. The idea behind this latest initiative is pretty simple: to offer a sporty, luxurious yet unpretentious coupe at a price that defies all competitors. Obviously, styling reigns supreme. Full story...

Too good (Or cheap) to be true? As Yoshimura Suzuki will be switching to 2009 models for the next AMA race, Mat Mladin's current racer, a 2008 GSX-R1000 Superbike will de sold off the back of the hauler, right after the Superbike race this coming Sunday in Road Atlanta. Full story...

Here's Samantha. Her voice is mellow, pleasant and nicely modulated. She seems calm and quite knowledgeable. Samantha is actually the name of the voice heard by Ford owners who use its latest infotainment technologies. Customers will hear Samantha's voice -- as well as French-speaking Julie's and Spanish-speaking Paulina's -- give life to the company's advanced communication and entertainment system called SYNC. Full story...

The Brawn GP Formula 1 team has now agreed a major sponsorship deal with the Virgin Group for 2010, SportsPro magazine reported on Thursday. Full story...

Total Light Vehicle Sales in Canada for the Month of March Full story...

Infiniti G37 Convertible debuts the new Bose Open Air Sound System. Its major claim to fame is that the system automatically adjusts itself to sound better during top-down motoring. The system springs into action when the top goes down and also processes two other inputs: outside noise and vehicle speed. A cabin microphone monitors the outside noise. Full story...

WASHINGTON --Tesla Motors has taken 520 reservations for the Model S, an all-electric family sedan that carries up to seven people and travels up to 300 miles per charge. Full story...

Stewards on Thursday declared that Lewis Hamilton and McLaren offered "deliberately misleading" evidence that resulted in Jarno Trulli losing his podium in a post-race inquiry last Sunday in Australia. Full story...

Dreyer & Reinbold Racing announced that IndyCar Series veteran Darren Manning would drive the No 23 Honda-powered Dallara in the season-opening Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Full story...

On the basis of the Mercedes-powered BGP001's performance in Australia, Brawn is the overwhelming favourite to repeat victory at Sepang this weekend. Full story...

A spokesman for Formula 1's governing body (FIA) late Thursday would not rule out "further action" against team McLaren and its star driver Lewis Hamilton. Full story...

Contrary to team McLaren's denial, the FIA late on Thursday insisted the team and Lewis Hamilton misled the stewards during an inquiry at Albert Park last Sunday. Full story...

In 16 starts at the ultra-fast Texas Motor Speedway, NASCAR Sprint Cup series' leader Jeff Gordon has only managed at best a pair of second-place finishes but he has never won a race at the 1.5 miles track but he is confident his luck could change this weekend. Full story...

The count is finally in and 22 Dallara-Hondas entered by 14 different teams will take part in the Honda Grand Prix of St-Petersburg, which will mark the start of the 2009 IndyCar season this season. Full story...

While at the Vancouver International Auto Show, I had the opportunity to chat with Mr. Stephen Beatty, the Managing Director of Toyota Canada. We discussed the popularity of the Toyota Prius with taxi companies and other fleet operators as well as the public. Full story...

The original Kia Sorento was a 'landmark' vehicle which took the Korean brand into a whole new section of the automotive market all around the world. Introduced in 2002, it marked a huge step for Kia, challenging many established brands and starting the process of changing public perception of Kia as a 'maker of small cars.' Full story...

Kia released the first official images of the near-luxury sedan concept car, code-named KND-5, ahead of its debut at the Seoul Motor Show 2009 which opens to the press on April 2. Full story...