News

The Latest Automotive News from Around the World

• 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show Preview: Citroën C3
  The redesigned Citroën C3 supermini hatchback boasts a panoramic "Zenith" windshield/roof.
• 2010 Detroit Auto Show Being Promoted Via Facebook, Twitter
  The NAIAS Facebook page already has 69 fans, while its Twitter account has 54 followers.
• Brazil: Fiat Strada Adventure Crew Cab Rolls Out
  The Brazil-market Fiat Strada Adventure Crew Cab is the first Strada pickup truck to offer a real backseat.
• Tuner Special: Zolfe Orange Classic GTC4
  The British specialty carmaker has released a new edition of its track-day car. The Zolfe Orange Classic GTC4 makes 285 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque.
• OnStar Goes to China
  The first OnStar application outside North America will be introduced in December in selected vehicles from Shanghai General Motors.
• Nissan Set To Kick Off Local Production in Vietnam
  As a further indication of the growing clout of Vietnam in the world market, Nissan said this week that it will begin local production there and launch its first model assembled in Vietnam by next year.

• 2010 Subaru Outback Rated 22 City/29 Highway
  EPA fuel economy ratings for the 2010 Subaru Outback are out, and the all-wheel-drive wagon earns a 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway EPA rating with its new continuously variable transmission (CVT). It goes on sale at the end of August.
• Hurst To Build Limited-Edition Pontiac G8 H.O.
  Anachronistic name from the muscle-car era attempts one last dance with GM's soon-to-be-defunct brand.
• NASCAR's Jeremy Mayfield Cleared To Race at Daytona
  A U.S. District Court Judge issued a temporarily injunction that lifts NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Jeremy Mayfield's drug suspension and allows him to race at Daytona this weekend.
• Toyota Recalls 2009 Lexus GX 470, 2006-'09 Toyota Sienna
  Toyota is recalling 1,281 2009 Lexus GX 470, 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser and 2006-'09 Toyota Sienna vehicles because mislabeling could cause them to be overloaded.
• 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show Preview: 2011 BMW X1
  Fourth crossover released by German automaker, but it won't reach the U.S. until calendar year 2011.
• Sting Like a Bumblebee: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Is Early Sales Champ
  New Camaro trounces Mustang and Challenger in June sales.
• Plans for Mega-Motorcade for Michael Jackson's Funeral Appear To Fizzle Out
  Plans for an elaborate motorcade to take Michael Jackson's body from Los Angeles to his Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara County, California, appear to have been scrapped, according to media reports.
• Automaker Optimism Prevails Despite Still-Weak June Car Sales
  Despite continued weak sales in June, auto company executives were optimistic the worst is over.
• Karl Malden, Star of The Streets of San Francisco, Dies at 97
  Karl Malden, 97, the Oscar winning actor who may be best known to road warriors for his American Express commercials admonishing them, "Don't leave home without it," died Wednesday. His body of work includes TV's The Streets of San Francisco and the 1954 movie On the Waterfront.

• BMW Gives Green Light to 2011 335i GT Hatchback
  The German automaker has confirmed it will build the 3 Series variant of the Gran Turismo hatch.
• NASCAR Confirms Jeremy Mayfield Tested Positive for Meth
  NASCAR has revealed that Sprint Cup Series driver Jeremy Mayfield tested positive for methamphetamines.
• Goodwood Festival of Speed: One-Off Jaguar XKR Goodwood Special
  Jaguar brings a high-performance arsenal to Goodwood, including a one-off Jaguar XKR Goodwood Special, the record-breaking XFR Prototype from Bonneville, and several past Le Mans winners.
• GM Sets First-Half China Sales Record
  Bankruptcy doesn't seem to have hampered the reputation of General Motors with Chinese consumers, who purchased a record 814,442 vehicles from GM and its local partners in the first half of 2009.
• GM's 72-Hour Sale Includes Pontiac G8
  General Motors has announced a "72-Hour Sale" that offers zero-percent financing for up to 72 months. Most Pontiacs are covered, including the Pontiac G8 GXP, as are several Chevrolet and GMC full-size trucks and SUVs.
• BMW X1 Crossover: Official Images Surface
  Photos of the BMW X1 crossover have been leaked, showing its resemblance to the X1 Concept unveiled at last year's Paris auto show.
• Tesla Files for Eberhard Lawsuit Dismissal
  In the latest volley fired in the battle between Tesla Motors and deposed co-founder Martin Eberhard, Tesla has filed a legal motion through San Mateo County, California courts asking to get Eberhard's lawsuit for libel, slander and breach of contract dismissed.
• Tony George Steps Down as Indy Racing League and IMS Chief
  Tony George, grandson of Indianapolis Motor Speedway savior Tony Hulman and controversial founder of the Indy Racing League, has stepped down from his position of leadership of both racing institutions and the family-owned Hulman & Co.
• Michael Jackson's Funeral Cortege May Include Mega-Motorcade With Horse-Drawn Carriage
  Michael Jackson's funeral procession to his Neverland Ranch on Thursday morning will include a 30-car motorcade, say media reports. But Britain's The Sun tabloid said Jackson's body will be placed in a glass coffin and transported by horse and carriage to the public funeral service.
• Unveiled: Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni
  Named for the company's legendary — and recently retired — test driver, the Balboni edition will be limited to 250 units and priced starting at $219,800.