Auto News 5

The free fall of Detroit 3 finance companies reflects a shift in the new-vehicle market to import brands and damage from the credit crunch, which has hit domestics especially hard. The new order looks durable. Full story...

Group 1 Automotive Inc., the No. 4 U.S. dealership group, reported a small operating profit in the fourth quarter of 2008, largely on the strength of service and parts income. But after writing down the value of its 97 U.S. Full story...

Penske Automotive Group Inc., the nation's second-largest dealership group, cut $100 million last year from its budget of $1.32 billion in selling, general and administrative expenses, about half of those savings in personnel. Full story...

Briton Jenson Button chose to drive for Brawn GP this season instead of exploring options of higher pay because he believes in the Brackley based team, a spokesman for the 29-year-old British driver insists. Full story...

A well-known Austrian online betting company could be set to become a major sponsor of the newly renamed Brawn GP Formula 1 team in 2009, according to reports. Full story...

A well-known Austrian online betting company could be set to become a major sponsor of the newly renamed Brawn GP Formula 1 team in 2009, according to reports. Full story...

German driver Nick Heidfeld set the fastest time of the day at the wheel of his BMW-Sauber F1.09 in Barcelona, Spain on Day 1 of the final test session prior to the start of the season. Full story...

The 28th edition of the Quebec Auto Show wrapped up on Sunday with a total attendance of 53,095 visitors, which represents a 9-percent drop from 2008 (59,021). The event is organized by the Corporation des concessionnaires d'automobiles de la régionale de Québec (CCARQ) and still remains one of the most popular auto shows in Canada and North America when taking into account the regional demographic pool. Full story...

Norbert Haug has let slip that Formula 1's governing body is yet to formally rubber-stamp Brawn GP's customer engine deal with Mercedes-Benz. Full story...

Briton Jenson Button chose to drive for Brawn GP this season instead of exploring options of higher pay because he believes in the Brackley based team, a spokesman for the 29-year-old British driver insists. Full story...

Reigning Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton of team McLaren-Mercedes has flagged the coming of a new rival for the 2009 season. Full story...

German driver Nick Heidfeld set the fastest time of the day at the wheel of his BMW-Sauber F1.09 in Barcelona, Spain on Day 1 of the final test session prior to the start of the season. Full story...

The new 2010 Volvo XC60 crossover will have a manufacturer's suggested retail price that starts at $45,495 and will go on-sale in April of 2009. For that price, the XC60 will come with a performance-oriented 281-horsepower turbocharged engine, All-wheel drive, a 6-speed automatic transmission, leather seats and City Safety - the world's first low-speed automatic braking system as standard equipment. Full story...

Ford's doing some cool stuff when it comes to integrating modern electronics into their vehicles. Their Sync system allows drivers to voice-command their cell phones, blackberries, MP3 players and the like-- and it can even read incoming text messages. Full story...

While Scuderia Toro Rosso unveiled its new car in Barcelona, it emerged it has expanded its Faenza facility and built its new STR4 for the first time. Full story...

A well-known Austrian online betting company could be set to become a major sponsor of the newly renamed Brawn GP Formula 1 team in 2009, according to reports. Full story...

This week, Auto123.com features the following road tests: The Chevrolet Traverse, the latest variation on GM's quartet of seven-passenger crossover SUVs. The Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, a compact, 237-horsepower sedan that won't empty your bank account! The Jeep Wranger Unlimited, a heavy-duty all-rounder that will be happy to go exploring with the entire family. Also, check out our video on the brand new 2010 Toyota Prius, the most sought-after green car you can think of. Full story...

While Scuderia Toro Rosso unveiled its new car in Barcelona, it emerged it has expanded its Faenza facility and built its new STR4 for the first time. Full story...

Technically similar to a diesel engine's injection, direct gasoline injection technology promises an improvement in fuel efficiency as well as a reduction in emissions. For any gasoline engine to operate properly, it needs the right combination of air and fuel for combustion. The ideal mixture is 14.8 grams of air for each gram of fuel. Full story...

Imagine how life would be for an average guy that was dating a sexy hollywood actress. Maybe they'd bump into each other in a little town where she would be shooting her latest flick, and it would be love at first sight. That's how fortunate I'm feeling as I approach Porsche's new 911 Carrera S. Full story...