Auto News 5

This year and for the last 22, the Automobile Protection Association (APA) and Protégez-Vous (PV) have released their always anticipated new and used car annual guide. As with the other 21 printed editions, as a reader and wise consumer, you'll find a plethora of info on the vehicle that might be tickling your fancy especially if you're in market for a used automobile. Full story...

Jeff Burton, in the Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet paced the second and final day of spoiler testing at the one and-one-half mile Charlotte Motor Speedway. Full story...

The BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad brands have been active in the Web 2.0 world for some time: Their pages on Facebook, YouTube and other sites offer prospective customers and fans information and dialog options. Since 22 March 2010, the BMW Group also has had a "BMW Group View" profile on Facebook, along with a YouTube and a Twitter profile also under the name "BMW Group View". Full story...

According to rumours in the Albert Park paddock on Thursday, the FIA has asked Bridgestone to consider supplying a more extreme selection of tyres at future grands prix. Full story...

Three leading formula one drivers on Thursday leapt to the defence of formula one, after a fortnight of criticism about the "show" in Bahrain. Full story...

Coinciding with the market launch of the SLS AMG on 27 march 2010, Mercedes AMG is presenting a GT3 variant. Full story...

Pioneered by McLaren, the innovation, where air is allowed to pass through the car and onto the rear wing by the movement of the drivers' knee, was declared legal on McLaren's MP4-25 in Bahrain two weeks ago. Full story...

I don't know for sure what to call the new 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour and, frankly, neither do the company's reps. Halfway between a sedan and a wagon, the misleading configuration even hints at a coupe -- which it isn't. As for its massive, Grendizer-style nose, it looks like it was ripped off from some rugged 4x4. Why such a drag show? Full story...

The 2011 Ford Mustang with a new V-6 engine will be priced under the rival Chevrolet Camaro when it arrives at dealerships next month. Ford Motor Co. says the 3.7-liter V-6 version will start at $22,995, including shipping. The Camaro with a 3. Full story...

At least four closed Chrysler Group dealerships were told today by company representatives that they are to receive letters of intent beginning their reinstatement process, according to a leader of a rejected-dealers group and a dealer lawyer. Full story…

Michigan's attorney general on Wednesday subpoenaed Toyota Motor Corp.'s U.S. arm for information on recent safety recalls regarding unintended acceleration. Full story...

General Motors Co. slashed its sponsorship budget by 60 percent from pre-bankruptcy levels, and the days of multimillion-dollar rights deals may fade as the U.S. automaker looks to connect more effectively with consumers. Full story...

SENIOR EDITOR FOR NEWS BOB GRITZINGER: Well-equipped, nice leather appointments, good audio system, AWD–thatand#8217;s all fine, but itand#8217;s still hard to wrap my head around a $28,000 Suzuki. Full story…

California dealership Estes Automotive Group has filed a federal lawsuit seeking $30 million from Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai Capital America, claiming the automaker failed to keep its promise of helping out the struggling franchisee. Full story...

A plastic molds supplier to Visteon Corp. must pay one of its own component makers more than $8.2 million in a supply chain lawsuit over parts for the Nissan Pathfinder and Xterra compact SUVs. Full story...

The Ram truck brand is launching its first full-scale advertising and marketing campaign for the 2010 Ram Heavy Duty pickup. The new campaign is part of Chrysler Group's strategy to separate Ram from the Dodge brand. Full story...

The UK’s auto industry trade body, SMMT, has welcomed UK Government measures announced in the Budget that are designed to support ultra-low carbon technologies. Full story…

A federal judicial panel on Thursday will begin considering whether more than 80 lawsuits against Toyota Motor Corp. can be consolidated into fewer cases and, if so, which courts should handle the litigation. Full story...

In News Brake: GM will reveal three super-small city-car concepts in May, AW has a green survey for you, and we remember Donald Frey, a key product planner behind the iconic Ford Mustang . . . But Wait, There's More! Full story...

Renault COO Patrick Pelata and Renault Latin-American manager Denis Barbier have announced that Colombian assembler Sofasa, with a facility in Medellín, about 400km north of Colombian capital Bogota, will build a new vehicle. Full story...