Auto News 5

Diesel engine supplier Navistar International will close its Indianapolis engine plant and foundry this summer as it prepares to end its contract with Ford Motor Co. The truck engine plant and the Indianapolis Casting Corp. Full story...

Ford supplier Visteon has hired legal and financial advisers to prepare for possible bankruptcy proceedings though that doesn't mean a filing is imminent, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Full story...

It's hard to imagine Australian police without their full-size Holden Commodore or Ford Falcon V8 cruisers, but one branch of the Australian police, in the Sydney suburb of Leichhardt, have gone to the absolute other extreme with a Fiat 500 JTD turbodiesel, the most economical car on the market there, now serving as a police car. Full story...

These days, not having a hybrid or eco-friendly model in your vehicle line-up is a sin. Nissan wants to become part of the green club and decided to electrify the popular Altima sedan, which rivals the Toyota Camry and Prius, the Chevrolet Malibu and Saturn Aura as well as the brand-new Ford Fusion. Full story...

This week, Auto123.com features the following road tests: The Altima Hybrid, Nissan's new mid-size « green » sedan. The Chevrolet Traverse, the new, ultimate versatile and affordable SUV. The Subaru Impreza WRX265, the Mitsubishi Lancer Rallyart's new sporty competitor. And don't miss the videos filmed by our journalists at the Montreal International Auto Show, such as the interview with the president of Ford Canada, David Mondragon. Full story...

These days, not having a hybrid or eco-friendly model in your vehicle line-up is a sin. Nissan wants to become part of the green club and decided to electrify the popular Altima sedan, which rivals the Toyota Camry and Prius, the Chevrolet Malibu and Saturn Aura as well as the brand-new Ford Fusion. Full story...

Pedro Lamy and the No. 10 Ford Dallara led the Rolex 24 At Daytona at the halfway point - the 12-hour mark - at Daytona International Speedway early Sunday morning. Full story...

China's SAIC Motor expects an over 50% fall in unaudited net profit in 2008, hit partly by its investment in Ssangyong Motor in Korea, which has filed for bankruptcy protection due to severe liquidity problems. Ford's Chinese partner also announced a sharp profit fall but results were better at FAW Group. Full story...

Ford of Europe will introduce short-time working and cut production at its two car factories in Germany. "We are doing this because our major markets of Spain and the UK are going down dramatically," a Ford of Germany spokesman said. Full story...

Roush Fenway Racing has fielded five full-time Cup teams since 2003 and their obvious goal is to put all five of his current Ford teams in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship in 2009. Full story...

Ford's Escape is one of the original compact SUVs that have become so popular. As fuel prices climbed over the years, this segment grew in strength as people sought the benefits of SUV ownership while rejecting the atrocious fuel economy of larger, V8-powered rigs. Full story...

Ford's Escape is one of the original compact SUVs that have become so popular. As fuel prices climbed over the years, this segment grew in strength as people sought the benefits of SUV ownership while rejecting the atrocious fuel economy of larger, V8-powered rigs. Full story...

After losing their main sponsor last year, the Wood Bros. will be able to field their famed No. 21 car in the 2009 Daytona 500 and 8 others races throughout the year, including the season-ending Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Full story...

After losing their main sponsor last year, the Wood Bros. will be able to field their famed No. 21 car in the 2009 Daytona 500 and 8 others races throughout the year, including the season-ending Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Full story...

Roush Fenway Racing has fielded five full-time Cup teams since 2003 and their obvious goal is to put all five of his current Ford teams in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship in 2009. Full story...

Ford has said that it has resumed production at its Russian plant after a steep drop in local demand forced it to half production for a month. Full story...

Montréal - The sales downturn in the automobile industry doesn't intimidate Ford Motor Company of Canada president and CEO, David J. Mondragon. "Ford is very well positioned as we look at our business opportunities going forward", he told us last Thursday at the Montréal International Auto Show (MIAS) in an interview. Full story...

Ford says they'll launch a six-speed, dual-clutch transmission into North America's small-car segment next year. Their advanced new 'Power Shift' gearbox will provide enhanced efficiency and mileage compared to the conventional four-speed automatic common in this type of vehicle. Full story...

Ford Motor Co. plans to offer as an option an electronically shifted dual-clutch, six-speed manual transmission in 2010. Full story...

Looking to wring as much fuel economy as possible out of its upcoming new small cars--we’re talking the Fiesta and the Focus here--Ford will equip them with a new six-speed, dry-plate, dual-clutch transmission, called PowerShift. Full story...