Auto News 5

German carmaker BMW will continue its engagement in Formula One racing despite the global financial crisis, a company board member reiterated. "Our F1 engagement is a vital part of the corporate strategy." Full story...

Daimler will stick to its plan to invest about 14 billion euros ($19.58 billion) in research and development by 2010 despite the financial crisis, its head of randd told Automotive News Europe's sister publication Automobilwoche. Full story...

BMW's Mini brand aims to grow next year in albeit deteriorating market conditions, which spoiled Volkswagen's Skoda brand growth plans, magazine auto motor und sport said on Saturday. Full story...

The German government should create incentives for consumers to buy cars, Vice Chancellor Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a newspaper interview. Full story...

Suzuki dealers won't get floorplanning help after all from Suzuki Motor Corp. In a letter sent to dealers on Dec. 20, Suzuki said it has been "forced to abandon" attempts to find a source of wholesale financing for its dealerships. Full story...

The best thing about investing in auto industry stocks in 2008 is this: The year is almost over. Full story...

Could there be any doubt about the top automotive story of 2008? Certainly not in the minds of the Automotive News editorial staff. By unanimous vote, the staff picked the collapse of the U.S. auto industry. Full story...

Will 2009 offer any relief from this most dreary of car-selling seasons? The Detroit 3 aren't optimistic. Ford Motor, the most bullish of the three, predicts U.S. light-vehicle sales of 12.2 million units in 2009. Full story...

Bill Heard Enterprises Inc.'s Chevrolet empire was crumbling. Rising fuel prices were gutting the group's high-volume sales of SUVs and pickups. Full story...

Even if Chrysler LLC never makes another car, Chrysler Financial would be able to keep reaping an income stream for several years as customers pay off existing car loans. Full story...

This has been a year to make automotive forecasters weep. A year ago, prognosticators debated whether 2008 light-vehicle sales would be just above or just below 15 million units. Full story...

Here are 10 things that got a start, or really got going, during 2008: Green, Smart, $4-a-gallon gasoline, the Hyundai Genesis, VW's plant in Tennessee, Tata Motors, clean diesel, reality, a new F-150 and small, powerful engines. Full story...

Using the corporate jets to go to Washington, running out of cash, going on vacation during a strike and crashing two supercars in a parking lot -- those are among the 10 blunders of 2008. Full story...

10 innovative dealers in 2008 are, in alphabetical order: Chad Collier, Barry Cottrell, Dan Fields, Jack Fitzgerald, Michael Gillespie, Chris Haydocy, Peter Hoffman, Greg Kach, John McCallan and Lenny Napoli. Full story...

GMAC LLC expects to soon announce the results of a debt-exchange offer that is key to North America's largest auto finance company's capital levels, a spokeswoman said on Sunday. Full story...

Suzuki has a history of producing small all-wheel drive cars. In fact, their success in European endurance rallies is a testament to all the expertise they've gained over the years. However, very few of the brand's capable machines have found their way to the Canadian market as production models. Sure, there were a couple of decent SUVs and other worthy products, but sadly, Suzuki had never offered a vehicle like the SX4 before. Full story...

It's a brand new year, and the Auto123 team would like to extend their very best wishes... A very happy New Year to you, dear listeners, from all of us here at Auto123.com! Full story...

Toro Rosso team manager moves to Ferrari; Massa opposed to driver wage cuts; Schu's Ferrari role not guaranteed beyond 2009; Irvine says Raikkonen facing Ferrari sack. Full story...

Alonso and Ferrari saupposedly ink deal for 2011; Ecclestone rescues marriage in Serbia; A F1 street race for Rome; Trulli manager slams Kobayashi rumours; Alonso pens deal with Spanish F1 broadcaster; Woking victory parade for Hamilton called off Full story...

Reports that the Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim has or will buy Honda's formula one team have been denied. Full story...