Auto News 5

Hoboken, New Jersey -- The Mercedes-Benz R-Class is another vehicle aimed at those who need the room of a minivan, but wouldn't be caught dead in one. Full story...

A deal between Fiat and Italian unions on the future of the Pomigliano car plant can still be reached, Italy's welfare minister Maurizio Sacconi said on Tuesday. "I am and remain optimistic. Full story...

With soccer fever ramping up around the globe and an avid soccer following on the rise here at home, MINI Canada is pleased to introduce a unique summer program for MINI owners to help them support their favourite nation. Full story...

Mahindra & Mahindra will this week start due diligence for a bid to buy the assets of court administered Ssangyong Motor, according to remarks by Dr Pawan Goenka, the head of the firm's automotive division. Full story...

BMW AG and Volkswagen AG recalled vehicles in the U.S. for defects that could cause fires. Full story...

The saga is not over ... apparently. After Porsche declined the invite from MINI we were all disappointed but MINI is not quitting and still challenge Porsche for the same race. Full story...

Lee Iacocca may have been credited with pioneering the minivan but he was actually the second--the first creator was my eccentric yet frugal father. Full story...

Italy's Industry Minister said there are five offers, down from 25, for Fiat SpA's Termini Imerese plant in Sicily, according to an e-mailed statement. Full story...

In a mini-replay of the Charlotte 600 ending Kurt Busch, driving a Penske Dodge, out-qualified Jamie McMurray's Earnhardt-Ganassi Chevrolet for the pole. Full story...

BMW AG and Volkswagen AG recalled vehicles in the U.S. for defects that could cause fires, the federal auto-safety regulator said today. Full story...

Fiat, its unions and the Italian government are sitting down today (11 June) in a mammoth negotiating session to thrash out differences concerning the future of its plants at Pomigliano d'Arco and Termini Imerese. Full story...

Citroen hopes to sell 4,000 units of its C-Zero electric mini in Spain by 2015 and plans to roll it out by late 2010, a company official has confirmed. Full story...

Suzuki says its new Swift minicar has improved fuel consumption and significantly lower emissions than the outgoing model as well as better safety and driving performance. Full story...

Confirming earlier reports citing unofficial sources, Renault announced Dominique Thormann will replace Thierry Moulonguet as group chief financial officer from 1 July. Full story...

There are many factors shaping the global tyre market. Over the last 20 years, the popularity of sport utility vehicles, minivans and crossover vehicles has steadily increased, prompting manufacturers to redesign their tyres. In this interview, Matthew Beecham talked with Chuck Yurkovich, Cooper Tire's vice president of global technology about the future for TPMS, run-flats, intelligent tyres and the company's unique tool to predict in-vehicle tyre sounds. Full story...

Opel said it expects Germany's Länder (regional states) to comment later today (10 June) on the decision by the country's economic ministry to turn down a request for loan guarantees. Full story...

Germany's economy ministry rejected a request for 1.1 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in loan guarantees for money-losing carmaker Opel. Full story...

Minicar maker Smart is launching a 250-unit test fleet of electric cars in select U.S. cities this year, as part of a broader push to boost the brand's image among the urban set. Full story...

Opel/Vauxhall CEO Nick Reilly said he doesn't expect to change a restructuring plan for the General Motors Co. unit significantly after the German government rejected a request for state aid toward a 3. Full story...

Renault SA named Dominique Thormann to replace Chief Financial Officer Thierry Moulonguet effective July 1. Full story...