Auto News 5

Saab Automobile CEO Jan Ake Jonsson says it will take longer than anticipated to gain the hearts, minds and eventually the wallets of U.S. car buyers. The automaker has reduced its U.S. Full story...

BMW gave its CEO Norbert Reithofer a fresh five-year term, in a show of support by its main shareholder for his drive to add scale by cooperating with peers. Full story...

Volkswagen Chairman Ferdinand Piech has set his sights on Fiat's Alfa Romeo as the next brand in his vast automotive empire. Full story...

Toyota's European business will achieve 800,000 vehicle sales in the region this year and will sell more cars next year even if the market dips slightly, the unit's president said. Full story...

VW Chairman Ferdinand Piech has set his sights on Alfa Romeo as the next brand in his vast automotive empire. "Alfa is the one brand with the biggest potential for improvement.," Piech said. Full story...

It's not only the cars that are having big debuts at the Paris auto show this year. Several executives will take to the stage for the first time in leadership roles. All of them have taken on big tasks. Full story...

Pursuing GM's goal of making Chevrolet a Global brand, four new vehicles have been introduced at this year's Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris. Full story...

This is the sensual CLS' first facelift since its inception in 2006. The 2012 CLS somewhat looses some of the original's sleek lines, especially up front, but sacrifices nothing where prestige and stance are concerned. Read Matt St-Pierre's first impressions review in the next few days. Full story...

As our working and living situations evolve with the opportunities afforded by the digital age, our cars must adapt to the way we conduct our lives. Throughout the world, a new breed of entrepreneur has emerged. Preferring to work for themselves from their own homes or small offices, these new professionals do not work fixed hours, or have regimented schedules. Full story...

Whether you like it or not, the lovely ladies or hostesses (or whatever you want to call them) hired by automakers to help showcase their new products have become fixtures at the various shows around the globe. Full story...

The 4th edition of the Alternative Energy Rally will be held on October 1 through 3. Sanctioned by the FIA and part of the Alternative Energy Cup, the event will be run over more than 500 kilometres, from the Laurentians all the way to downtown Montreal. Full story...

An accident at the site of next month's inaugural Korean grand prix is not expected to further delay completion of the Yeongam venue. Full story...

Citroën Racing has unveiled its new DS3 WRC, due to take part in the 2011 season of the World Rally Championship. Full story...

Vitaly Petrov has moved into pole position to keep his Renault seat in 2011, with German sources reporting that three potential alternate candidates are now out of the running. Full story...

The new MINI WRC, which will contest the FIA World Rally Championship from 2011, will receive its world premiere at this international motor show. In addition, Kris Meeke (GB) has been confirmed as one of the drivers who will contest the championship with this brand new rally car. Full story...

They don't call it the Volkswagen Group for nothing! This morning's presentation is an hour long and 10 cars will take the stage for all to see. Being the largest car maker in Europe means that they get lots of attention and considering the girth of Volkswagen's range of products, they pretty can get everyone's attention. Full story...

If we said that Ford was bigger in Europe than in North America, would you believe us? This is in fact the case. Nowhere will you find more enthusiasts of Ford cars than in some European countries such as England. The Fiesta is huge and the Focus is gargantuan! Full story...

Celebrating its 200th anniversary, Peugeot is showcasing its signature HYbrid4 all-wheel drive hybrid system featuring an electric motor driving the rear wheels, and a conventional gasoline engine powering the front. The SR1 concept sports car, a luxurious 2+1 coupe has a single, centre rear seat. Its HYbrid4 powertrain consists of a front-driving 1.6 litre gasoline engine and a 70 kw electric rear motor, with a fuel consumption rating of 4.9L/100km. Full story...

Citroën, for us North Americans, is somewhat in Renault's shadow. Renault was briefly setup here to sell cars unlike Citroën where very few ever made it our way. Full story...

Renault is seriously in the swing of things. Figures as we are literally in this maker's backyard. Between it and Nissan's unveils, no less than 10 vehicles will have their covers yanked off. The French are well known for their models (if you catch my drift...) and so it is normal that we find numerous prototypes and concepts, representing design, technology and curvacious lines. Full story...