Auto News 5

In this gloomy sales environment, the return of Volvo's scheduled free maintenance is putting the brand on more shopping lists, dealers say. Full story...

U.S. Volvo dealers say the Swedish government's emergency aid for its carmakers softens the blow of a possible sale of the brand by owner Ford Motor Co. Full story...

The future sweet spot for Buick's car line will be the mid-sized segment, the top executive for General Motors' Buick-Pontiac-GMC sales channel says. The full-sized-car segment "has declined 35 percent this calendar year. Full story...

Toyota is on track to finish 2008 as the best-selling brand in America for the first time, topping both Ford and Chevrolet. But the outlook for 2009 is grim. Inventories are rising, and dealer orders are down drastically. Full story...

Used-car buyers in Phoenix have a new place to shop: Wal-Mart. And franchised dealers could benefit. The world's largest retailer is leasing space in two suburban Phoenix stores to Live X Auto Exchange LLC, an online used-vehicle buying company. Full story...

Two more high-profile executives left Chrysler LLC last Friday, adding their names to a growing list of key people departing the struggling automaker. Full story...

Car dealers could throw a wrench into efforts by General Motors and Chrysler LLC to restructure by trimming marginal brands and dealerships. To cut costs, GM has said it wants to sell Hummer, and it might sell or close Saturn, too. Full story...

A White House bailout of General Motors and Chrysler LLC won't prevent the collapse of North America's shakiest suppliers. Domestic and import brand automakers in North America are expected to produce 2. Full story...

Yes, George W. Bush rescued General Motors and Chrysler LLC last week. But the Bush bailout left a host of thorny, unanswered questions as the two companies plot a path to survival. Full story...

The much-anticipated confrontation in World Superbike racing between Troy Bayliss and Valentino Rossi is not likely to happen. Full story...

Bill Davis, struggling to keep his team afloat during a fruitless search for sponsorship, has sold majority ownership of both his race team and his engine company. Full story...

Bill Davis, struggling to keep his team afloat during a fruitless search for sponsorship, has sold majority ownership of both his race team and his engine company. Full story...

The much-anticipated confrontation in World Superbike racing between Troy Bayliss and Valentino Rossi is not likely to happen. Full story...

Despite the numerous automakers that have dropped out of the Detroit Auto Show, others, like Audi, are promising new models that will be the envy of the other shows. On top of the unveiling of the R8 V10, Audi will present an all-new concept in the tradition of the Mercedes-Benz CLS, the four-door A7 Coupe. Full story...

This week, Auto123.com features the following road tests: the Toyota Yaris Hatchback, a small, nimble and fuel-efficient urban car. The new Audi A4 3.2 quattro, a full-size German cruiser that's been revamped. The Dodge Journey, an interesting blend of minivan and station wagon. Full story...

Reigning three-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson will return to GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing for the 2009 Rolex 24 at Daytona, reuniting this year's all-star line-up of Johnson and fellow champions Alex Gurney, Jon Fogarty and Jimmy Vasser. Full story...

As the Honda Motor Company pushes for a buyer, a list of potential saviours of the Brackley based formula one team is becoming ever clearer. Full story...

Team BMW-Sauber director Mario Theissen has hit back at his Formula 1 team colleagues who are critical of the deployment of KERS technology in 2009. Full story...

The eyes of the formula one world have flicked nervously to Toyota, not yet three weeks after fellow struggling Japanese carmaker Honda announced it is withdrawing from the sport. Full story...

Merrickville, Ontario - Can you imagine an SUV weighing over two tons that can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 8 seconds while burning about 9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers? No, I'm not talking about gas-electric spinoffs like the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid or Chrysler Aspen Hybrid. This vehicle uses a different powertrain altogether: a modern twin-turbo diesel. It sports the blue-and-white roundel of BMW and is called X5! Full story...