Auto News 5

Despite a currency exchange hit and falling auto sales that dropped third quarter revenue 11.5% to JPY 2,240.7bn, Honda boosted fiscal third quarter operating income to JPY176.9bn after reducing costs across the board. Full story...

Korea-based automotive components firm Mando has applied to have its shares listed on the Seoul main bourse. Full story...

Polish firm Marotti have announced production has begun of their three-wheeled supercar

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Latest figures from French auto manufacturers show a sharp rise in January registrations, although forecasts for the second half of 2010 look less easy to predict. Full story...

A brief guide to the problem with Toyota accelerator pedals on certain models that have resulted in an unprecedented global recall. Full story...

Hyundai Motor sales in South Korea last month rose about 50% to 269,841 from 179,385 a year before. Exports were 59,774 versus 35,396. Full story...

Ever mindful that year on year comparisons are now firmly with the post-credit crunch era, US light vehicle sales, adjusted for selling days, were up a healthy 15.1% to 695,707 units last month. In Detroit, Ford added to the we-didn't-need-a-bailout glow by trouncing its rivals with a 35.6% gain to 114,626. GM topped the domestic maker unit count at 146,343, up 23.6%, and Chrysler was off 0.9% to 56,479. Full story...

International Automotive Components Group (IAC) has announced that it has acquired flooring & acoustics supplier Stankiewicz International Corporation, a US subsidiary of Gimotive GmbH. Full story...

Honda Motor is contacting owners of its second-generation City cars across the ASEAN region as part of the global recall of some 650,000 Fit/Jazz and City models due to faulty window switches. Full story...

The redesigned Kia Sportage will make its world debut at the Geneva motor show on 2 March. Full story...

New soft-roader from Korean firm set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show

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In front of around 35,000 spectators, two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso made his official debut at the wheel of a Ferrari Formula 1 car Wednesday in the final day of F1 testing at Valencia. Full story...

Two former Formula 1 driver, Jean Alesi and Giancarlo Fisichella will take part to the Le Mans Series with the team AF Corse GT2 class team. Full story...

The best rally drivers from Canada will participate in the opening round of the 2010 Canadian Rally Championship held next weekend as a new season gets underway in Maniwaki, Quebec. Full story...

RM Auctions has a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO to offer for private treaty sale. This 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO (chassis no. 4675 GT) - one of the most coveted cars in the world - is one of only 36 250 GTOs originally produced and one of a limited few with Series II GTO bodywork. Full story...

Dodge Journey debuted in model-year 2009, as the brand's new compact crossover (based on the Sebring chassis). It's a big seller for Dodge, offering (optional) seven-person seating for not too much money. Dodge intends to keep the winning formula intact for 2010, by not messing with its starting MRSP of $19,995. Full story...

As one of the most-watched TV programs of the year, the Super Bowl is the ideal environment to prominently draw attention to Honda's all-new Accord Crosstour. Airing during the fourth quarter, the 30-second spot features an animated squirrel with an insatiable appetite for "squirreling away" all things cargo, set to the tune of "Funky Stuff" by Kool & The Gang. Full story...

For sports fans who want to get the most out of their Super Bowl XLIV viewing experience...it's Bridgestone or nothing. Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) will unveil two new Bridgestone brand tire commercials during the game, which will be broadcast on CBS Feb. 7 from Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Fla. The Bridgestone brand will also serve as the title sponsor of the Super Bowl XLIV Halftime Show featuring the legendary rock band, THE WHO. Full story...

Tesla Motors announced today that former Toyota production engineering general manager Gilbert Passin will lead Tesla's vehicle manufacturing operations. Full story...

The bright yellow and black livery of the new Renault R30 Formula 1 car of Robert Kubica and Vitaly Petrov may have stunned some people, but it is very similar to the paint scheme of the 1977 Renault. Full story...