Auto News 5

Ford Motor has raised $540 million after selling the bulk of its 33.4 percent stake in Mazda. Ford's ownership of Mazda stock has been reduced. Full story...

Ford Motor has raised $540 million after selling 20 percent of its 33.4 percent stake in Mazda. The sale means that Ford will end 12 years of control of Mazda. The U.S. carmaker first took a stake in the Japanese carmaker in 1979. Full story...

Ford Motor could announce plans to sell a 20 percent stake in Mazda Motor as early as Tuesday, the Nikkei business daily reported. Ford, which has a controlling 33.4 percent stake in the Japanese automaker, is scrambling to raise cash. Full story...

Auto supplier leaders will join the Detroit 3 chiefs in Washington, D.C., this week to push for emergency federal aid to the automotive industry. Full story...

Auto companies would be able to receive emergency aid within a month under a Senate proposal for a $25 billion loan package that circulated here late Monday. Full story...

The rumour that had been circulating for a while now was confirmed this morning. Ford's fire sale and urgent search for funds have resulted in the sale of most of its stake in the Mazda Motor Corporation. The manufacturer is practically selling the entirety of its assets in the companies of which it held a majority of shares. After the sale of Aston Martin to the ProDrive consortium and the block sale of the British Land Rover and Jaguar brands to the Tata group, it's now Mazda's turn. Full story...

The Formula 1 cars designed by Red Bull Technology - the Red Bull-Renault and the two Toro Rosso-Ferraris, emerged on top of the timing sheets today in Day 2 of the winter test session held at Circuit de Catalunya, Spain. Full story...

Driver Antoine L'Estage and co-driver Nathalie Richard will run for the North-American Rally Championship this weekend in Bancroft, Ontario during the Tall Pines Rally. Full story...

Financially troubled General Motors will sell well over 16 million shares in Suzuki on the open market- or about 3 percent of the Japanese automakers total issued common stock. Full story...

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is confident his plan to replace the current points system with Olympic Games-style 'medals' will be introduced in time for the 2009 season opener. Full story...

Honda's annual costs are the highest of any competitor on the formula one grid, according to the Japanese team's latest accounts. Full story...

McLaren test driver, veteran Pedro de la Rosa is currently testing with the Force India team at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya. Full story...

Eight-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi finished in second position at this past weekend Monza Rally but failed to win the race for the third time in a row. Full story...

It appears the Indy Racing League (IndyCar series) could be interested in filling the vacant spot left by the cancellation of the Canadian Grand Prix. Full story...

Eight-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi finished in second position at this past weekend Monza Rally but failed to win the race for the third time in a row. Full story...

McLaren test driver, veteran Pedro de la Rosa is currently testing with the Force India team at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya. Full story...

It appears the Indy Racing League (IndyCar series) could be interested in filling the vacant spot left by the cancellation of the Canadian Grand Prix. Full story...

Driving excitement is seldom a priority of Toyota buyers. They're more interested in reliability, resale value, build quality and what can be described as understated styling. It's almost as if they where allergic to adrenalin. The same logic applies to the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid. True, this car has a certain charisma while also being fuel-efficient and flawlessly constructed. But in terms of thrills behind the wheel, the only thing that will send a shiver down your spine is if the interior temperature is too cold. Full story...

Driving excitement is seldom a priority of Toyota buyers. They're more interested in reliability, resale value, build quality and what can be described as understated styling. It's almost as if they where allergic to adrenalin. The same logic applies to the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid. True, this car has a certain charisma while also being fuel-efficient and flawlessly constructed. But in terms of thrills behind the wheel, the only thing that will send a shiver down your spine is if the interior temperature is too cold. Full story...

Auto companies would be able to receive emergency aid within a month under a Senate proposal for a $25 billion loan package that circulated here late Monday. Full story...