Most of you still remember the American car dealers’ fiasco. Due to the recession, some car manufacturers from the US decided to close some dealerships in the country. The number was so large that 2009 is registered as the year with record showrooms closures. Though some got turned into yoga studios, grocery stores or hairdressers, it’s not all bad.
There are still dealers out there that invest in their dealerships. This is the case of the Australian dealer of Audi, located in Launceston, whi… (read more)
One week after the Fiat Yamaha MotoGP team revealed its new 2010 YZR-M1 machine, the Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike team took the wraps of their own racebike today. The team launched the new YZF-R1 livery at the Sterilgarda headquarters in Castiglione delle Stiviere, Italy, while riders James Toseland and Cal Crutchlow answered questions about the upcoming season.
Aussies looking for a crossover have just got a new alternative. Hyundai launched its ix35 crossover on the Australian market and hopes that the car designed at Hyundai’s Design Centre Europe at Russelsheim in Germany will appeal to the Australian buyers.
Volkswagen has been building the Golf Wagon since its third generation Golf hatchback from 1991, but the family version never got to Down Under. That’s all in the past now, as the German manufacturer officially launched the Golf MK IV Wagon in Australia.
The Ford Transit Connect will join the all-star lineup in the New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures film Valentine’s Day, which opens in US theaters today. One of the main characters in the movie is a florist who uses the Transit Connect to deliver flowers on … you guessed it… Valentine’s Day.
After earlier today the first image showing the latest concept from Citroen hit the web, a few more other photos joined hands to give a better idea on what the French carmaker has prepared for the 2010 Geneva Auto Show. The concept shown here is a preview of the future production version, with the differences between the two expected to be minimal. 
We have good news for the Aussies: an event for all motoring enthusiasts will be held in the Murray River border town of Echuca-Moama, Australia. The event is being organised by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) and will be held annually. The first event will be in the Labor Day ‘long weekend’ on October 1-4 this year.
Nicky Hayden will eventually make the Sepang MotoGP test meeting despite the fact that he recently suffered an arm surgery this past weekend. The second test of the 2010 calendar is scheduled in Malaysia in 2 weeks time – the first one happened last week, also at the Sepang International Circuit – and is seems the American rider will have no problem taking his Ducati bike to the track at that date.
The all electric vehicle frenzy has conquered most of the civilized world. Everybody wants to drive an EV, producers race to get their zero emission cars on the market while companies struggle to be the first to build a charging infrastructure.
Michelin, the world’s second largest tiremaker, announced that its profit decreased by 71 percent in 2009 as a result of falling sales and increasing reorganization costs.
Malaysian car manufacturer Proton and Giugiaro created a concept car meant to introduce a family of low environmental impact models. The design is based on a hybrid drive system and will be presented at the Geneva International Auto Show in March 2010. The concept is set to optimize on-board space and car access ergonomics.
Racing is dangerous and exposes the rider to the risk of injury, and Jorge Lorenzo find that out on his own again yesterday. The 22-year-old Spaniard fractured his right hand in an accident while training in Barcelona and was immediately taken to hospital for treatment.
For 2010, the Volkswagen Passat enters the Australian market with a revised engine line-up, extra features and a new entry-level retail price.
Nobody will know for sure the level of fuel efficiency of the engines developed by the Formula One teams for the 2010 season. With refueling being banned by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) for the upcoming season, the fuel the cars will start the race with will have to last until the chequered flag.
The waiting days are over for fans of the new F4 machine launched by Italian manufacturer MV Agusta at EICMA show in Milan last year. These days, one of the most prestigious testers of the world press will be in Almeria (Spain) to test the incredible performances of the new 2010 MV Agusta superbike.
The quick rise to power of electric vehicles and the apparent new found appeal of the automotive industry for zero emissions driving is a God sent gift for both companies which mine, exploit or sell lithium and for the regions in which the product is found. 
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) today confirmed the introduction of an all-new helmet design in the World Rally Championship, aimed at improving the drivers’ safety in the series. According to the press release from the ruling body, the helmet took no less than 8 years to be developed, and will reportedly provide drivers with increased protection in all key areas of safety.
SAIC Motor, General Motors and Liuzhou Wuling, the three parts forming the SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW) joint-business, are analyzing the Indian market, as SAIC will become a major shareholder of GM’s Indian unit and JV will have to decide the vehicle line-up to be introduced on this market – various media sources expect minivans to be the segment JV’s segment of choice, as Gasgoo reports.
The 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder replica, dubbed Modena Spyder, is currently up for grabs on eBay for the price of $179,000. This rare Ferrari 250 GT reproduction of the short wheel base California Spyder was completed by Modena in 1991. It shortly became one of the most sought after 250 GT California Spyder replicas due to its limited production as a Modena.
The Daimler plant in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, is in celebration these days, after the production lines spat out the 2.5 millionth engine since the facility opened its doors back in 1956.