Auto News 5

Despite Audi's oft-stated plans to sell 200,000 vehicles in the United States by 2018, the luxury brand's North American chief says profitable growth is more important. Full story...

BMW Group is using the Winter Olympics to launch a marketing campaign to convince shoppers that BMWs are engineered well but are fun to drive, too. George Sharpe Sr., chairman of the BMW Dealer Forum in the U.S. Full story...

A new, smaller SUV for Land Rover will go on sale late in the third quarter of 2011, Land Rover announced to dealers at the U.S. National Automobile Dealers Association Convention. Full story...

Pendragon sees demand for upscale marques such as Maserati and Mercedes-Benz showing signs of recovery, helping this year's outlook as the auto sector grapples with the end of government scrappage schemes. Full story...

The EVO (or Evolution) is Mitsubishi's legendary track-ready sports sedan based on Lancer. Its formidable handling prowess is made possible by lots and lots of sensors feeding lots and lots of computers. Full story...

Valmet Automotive presents four different new energy vehicles at the Geneva Motor Show in the beginning of March. In addition to "Eva" concept vehicle developed by Valmet Automotive the company puts on show three electric vehicles which represent its successful cooperation with innovative automotive companies: the THINK City, the Garia LSV Concept Car (Low Speed Vehicle) and the Premium Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Fisker Karma. Full story...

Abarth is presenting a number of important new products at Geneva in response to intense public interest, and to confirm the Fiat Group's investment in Abarth. Full story...

DETROIT - General Motors today announced that Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machines Co., Ltd. (Tengzhong) was unable to complete the acquisition of HUMMER. As a result, GM will begin the orderly wind-down of the HUMMER operations. Full story...

Eleven Formula 1 teams will be in action at Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona, Spain for the final winter test leading to the 2010 season. Full story...

A large programme for the "little" Rolls Royce. Automobile refiner Kourosh Mansory offers a breathtaking individualisation for the Rolls Royce Ghost. The specialist for luxury cars combines most precious materials with elaborate performance, individual appearance and stylish interior refinements. This creates a unique overall concept with a self-confident character. Full story...

Veteran engineer and designer Willy Rampf will leave the BMW-Sauber Formula 1 team and will be replaced by James Kay who has just left the Force India outfit. Full story...

For the first time since 1990, the Penske cars will not have the familiar fluorescent orange and white paint scheme for the upcoming 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series. Full story...

Seoul, South Korea, SANTA ROSA, Calif., and HANGZHOU, China, - Electric vehicle pioneer ZAP (OTC Bulletin Board: ZAAP) has accepted a purchase order from Samyang Optics Co. Ltd. (KSE: 008080.KS) of Korea for 100 electric SUVs to be built through a partnership with China auto manufacturer Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co. Ltd. Full story...

Formula One used to be referred to as a "circus", but now, it is one. Meet the clowns, magicians tricksters and two-faced buffoons! Full story...

The Honda 3R-C, a revolutionary one-person battery electric vehicle concept, will make its world debut in Geneva alongside the EV-N concept, to be displayed for the first time in Europe. Full story...

The Garia LSV Concept Car will debut at the world-renowned motor show in Geneva, March 4-14 2010. Full story...

After making its entry into Formula One, Lotus is now set to enter this year's Indy 500 under the name "Team Lotus USA". Full story...

Subaru's presence at the 80th Geneva International Motor Show will feature a number of technological and environmentally friendly innovations, including a revolutionary 'Boxer'-hybrid concept vehicle and a pure-electric city car. Full story...

Bridgestone has extended its sport tyre line-up with the launch of the Potenza S001 for top sports cars and high-powered luxury vehicles. They developed a new flagship UHP tyre for the world's top sports cars: the Potenza S001. Designed for maximum sports performance, the tyre also delivers high efficiency with reduced rolling resistance. Full story...

Qantas has been named as the new title sponsor for the Australian grand prix. Full story...