Auto News 5

On Thursday, the new and surprising Mercedes-Benz-powered Brawn BGP001 lapped the circuit of Barcelona faster than ever before in the capable hands of Brazilian Rubens Barrichello. Full story...

After two days Atlantic Championship of testing at Palm Beach International Raceway, Spanish driver Borja Garcia dominated the first Atlantic test session of his career. Full story...

The Indy Racing League governing body has decided to alter the points system so that the pole winner can earn an extra point on any race weekend during the upcoming season. Full story...

On Thursday, the new and surprising Mercedes-Benz-powered Brawn BGP001 lapped the circuit of Barcelona faster than ever before in the capable hands of Brazilian Rubens Barrichello. Full story...

Two-time Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso has slammed the brakes on swinging speculation about the form of his formula one employer Renault. Full story...

The Conseil général des Yvelines presented today Thursday plans for a new home for the Grand Prix de France. The new circuit would be located at Flins-Les Mureaux, close to Paris. Full story...

For the first time in the company's history stretching back over 40 years, the Mercedes-Benz performance brand is presenting a vehicle developed in-house, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The super sports car serves up an exciting proposition with its unique technology package: aluminium spaceframe body with gullwing doors, AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid engine developing 420 kW/571 hp peak output and dry sump lubrication, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission in a transaxle configuration and sports suspension with aluminium double wishbones. Full story...

Japanese car manufacturer Toyota plans to stay in formula one at least until 2012 and possibly even longer, team president John Howett insists. Full story...

Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new- and used-car information, today announces the winners of the 2009 Brand Image Awards. The Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards recognize automakers' outstanding achievements in creating and maintaining brand attributes that capture the attention and enthusiasm of the new-vehicle buying public. Full story...

Nigel Mansell, the 1992 Formula 1 World Champion with team Williams, will take part to the first Formula Le Mans official practice session at Paul Ricard in two weeks, together with sons Greg and Leo. Full story...

You could nearly call the Volvo XC90 R-Design a sled. They both amount to entertaining cold-weather conveyance, but a sled's a primitive contraption that slides over snow and hopefully goes in a straight line with little to no control. Full story...

The Canadian Auto Workers union said Wednesday its members had agreed to contract concessions with General Motors of Canada to help the automaker qualify for government loans. Full story...

Chrysler LLC said today it may close its plants in Canada unless it gets sufficient labor concessions as well as government aid and resolution of a tax dispute. Full story...

Chrysler LLC said today it may close its plants in Canada unless it gets sufficient labor concessions as well as government aid and resolution of a tax dispute. Full story...

Most of us at AutoWeek value speed and style, but there are people out there who are perfectly fine with just looking the part. For them, Nissan has announced the addition of the FE+ 2.0 SR to the Sentra lineup. Full story...

Ezra Dyer's Ten-Point Plan - Dyer Consequences

I Am the Car Czar: A ten-point plan to fix all that ails the industry.

Like many Americans, I find it galling and presumptuous that members of Congress deign to tell the car industry how it should run. Making confident yet ill-informed proclamations like that is simply not a job for our elected officials. It's a job for writers, and I resent these senators stepping on my turf.

Photo Gallery: Ezra Dyer's Ten-Point Plan - How To Repair The Auto Industry Editorial - Automobile Magazine

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The head of Toyota's US sales arm has warned the Obama administration's auto industry task force that the company is 'seriously concerned' about the financial health of a substantial number of its parts suppliers. Full story...

Continental has said it will close two European tyre factories - one specialising in CV tyres in Germany and another in France. Full story...

Volkswagen has said it may start assembling commercial vehicles at its Russian plant in the city of Kaluga. Full story...

Toyota Motor Corp. has developed a rear-seat airbag that deploys between passengers and will install it on a model to be launched in Japan. Full story...