Auto News 5

Ford Motor Co. will use a platform developed in Europe for its global mid-sized car, but the engineering work will be done in North America. Full story...

Valeo said today CEO Thierry Morin was stepping down in a disagreement over strategy. The French supplier named ex-Saint-Gobain deputy CEO Jacques Aschenbroich as his replacement. Full story...

Valeo said today CEO Thierry Morin was stepping down in a disagreement over strategy. The French supplier named ex-Saint-Gobain deputy CEO Jacques Aschenbroich as his replacement. Full story...

Mercedes-Benz, defying a worldwide decline in auto sales, is preparing to expand its U.S. plant. Plans include a $290 million (214 million euros) investment at the Vance, Alabama, factory. Full story...

Jaguar and Land Rover executives say they are guiding dealers to alternative sources of floorplan financing, but those who are not approved by Chase Auto Finance ultimately are on their own. Ford Motor Co. Full story...

Analysts today said Daimler's move to raise billions of euros in fresh capital shows how badly European automakers need cash in the current weak economic climate. Daimler said on Sunday it will raise 1.95 billion euros ($2. Full story...

Analysts today said Daimler's move to raise billions of euros in fresh capital shows how badly European automakers need cash in the current weak economic climate. Daimler said on Sunday it will raise 1.95 billion euros ($2. Full story...

Bondholders holding some $27 billion of General Motors debt on Sunday sent a letter to the White House task force overseeing the bailout of the auto industry to register concern with the lack of progress in GM's debt-restructuring talks. Full story...

A coupe is a two-door- meaning that the four-door Volkswagen Passat Comfort Coupe (CC) isn't really a coupe at all. A trend is seeing various German brands applying the term to their four-door models, regardless of its proper definition. The folks at Webster's may need to consider breaking out the erasers if it continues. Full story...

With mere days until the 2009 season opener, Formula 1 team Force India has become another team to make clear its current position regarding the new technology KERS. Full story...

In a continuing word exchange between the two sides in Formula 1's off-track war, Renault team boss Flavio Briatore has denied that the teams told Bernie Ecclestone they approved of the winner-takes-all scoring system for 2009. Full story...

The SEAT team have accomplished their mission: completing the American part of the season with four victories. Full story...

Earnhardt Jr's miserable start of the season continues as he failed to finish in the top 10 for the fourth time in five races -- not at all what was expected in his second season with the most successful team in NASCAR over the past 15 years. Full story...

Reigning IndyCar series' champion Scott Dixon set the pace in the IndyCar Series test at Barber Motorsports Park that was held on Sunday. Full story...

Renault Formula 1 eam's technical director Pat Symonds has contradicted his boss Flavio Briatore over the rear diffuser saga. Full story...

To understand the success of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, you need to understand the company and the terminology the company uses. Hybrid for example is defined as the combination of two or more different things, aimed at achieving a particular objective. In this case it is two distinct methods of propulsion for an automobile aimed at reducing fuel consumption without reducing practicality. Another important definition is integration, which in this case is "data from one device or software to be read or manipulated by another, resulting in ease of use". The last major definition is Synergy which in its simplest terms means the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Full story...

In reference to recent press coverage commenting on cancellation of its Estoque project, Lamborghini has not taken any decision to produce its Estoque concept car, the four door performance saloon concept shown at Paris motor show in 2008. Full story...

The 6th-generation of the GTI will hit the market later this year, and VW has released some more info on the iconic hot hatch. Under the hood, the new GTI keeps the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine that develops 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. Transmission choices remain a 6-speed manual and optional 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox, aka DSG. VW claims 30 percent of GTI buyers will opt for the latter. Full story...

Mumbai, March 23, 2009: Tata Motors today announced the commercial launch of the Tata Nano, keenly awaited across India since its unveiling on January 10, 2008. The Tata Nano is BS-III* compliant and comes with an all-new 2-cylinder aluminium MPFI 624 cc petrol engine mated to a four-speed gear box and will be available in three variants. The cars will be on display across the country at Tata Motors Passenger Car dealerships and other select authorised outlets from April 1st. Full story...

Rockstar/Makita Yoshimura Suzuki rider Mat Mladin went a perfect two-for-two in 2009 with a win in Saturday's AMA Superbike race at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA, his victory coming after a race-long battle with Tommy Hayden. Full story...