Like there was any need for another confirmation of last year’s great performance in the automotive market, China has set yet another record when it comes to its people’s appeal for new vehicles: 1.66 million units were sold in the country in January, representing a huge 124 percent leap from the figures registered one year ago.
According to data submitted by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), cited by AFP, last months’ figures also represent a leap of 16.8 percent comp… (read more)
The North American division of Volkswagen announced today it has hired the first group of production workers for its new manufacturing plant in Chattanooga . According to the carmaker, 100% of these employees are residents of Hamilton County, Tennessee.
Sebastian Vettel doesn’t seem too affected by the favorite status stamped on his back by several F1 pundits out there – one of his supporters is the very boss of Formula One, Bernie Ecclestone – as he reckons it will be the car who will count the most in the title fight this season.
Two months into 2010, German carmaker Opel released the tweaked version of the Corsa, the car which accounts for some 30 percent of the European Opel/Vauxhall sales. 
The first day of testing on the Jerez track was, as expected, affected by rain and many of the drivers that got to take their cars to the circuit this morning only experienced a few laps on a dry track. To be more precise, only the first hour saw real action on the Jerez de la Frontera track, with German driver Nico Rosberg topping the timing reports with the best time of 1:20.927.
It’s still a difficult winter in the UK, as heavy snow transformed roads into slopes and trips into adventures. Drivers facing unpredictable road conditions are exposed to serious risks as not all are up to the challenge.
As part of the Nissan Cube launch in the UK, famous tattoo artist Henry Hate yesterday unveiled his first ever sculpture and the world’s first ice tattoo, which is placed on the south bank of the River Thames close to Tower Bridge. 
After earlier today the full details of Audi’s smallest car were released, the German carmaker also released a video showing the A1. The video takes us roughly through all the history behind the A1, starting from the concept form presented at the Tokyo event in 2007 and all the way to the production version presented today. 
The Chinese public transport operators will receive subsidies form the government as a measure to counterbalance the boom in oil prices, as China Daily reported, citing sources form the country’s Ministry of transport.
Because the auto industry is off to a good start in 2010, some automakers are doing everything in their power to attract more clients to their showrooms. The marketing departments have finally some work to do, as people are willing to spend.
To mark the 2009 MotoGP and Superbike season, Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati had just launched a special limited edition dedicated to Desmosedici 09 and 1198, created by artist Mirko Pohle. The full collection can be viewed (and ordered) by accessing the following link. 
After we’re heard so many stories about Toyota’s stuck accelerator pedal – which unfortunately led to the death of several people, here’s a new report, this time concerning Ford. According AAP, a 22-year-old Ford Explorer driver was chased by the local police for around 54 km as his car was stuck in cruise control.
Another hurdle in the path of Cyclone’s all-fuel, external combustion engine, towards becoming a more present technology has been overcome, after the European Patent Office issued a notice to grant the company a patent for the technology. 
Lewis Hamilton might do a one-off in the Australian V8 Supercar series, although it’s not certain when this will happen. The news was reported by Adelaide newspaper The Advertiser, via a statement made by Team Vodafone boss Roland Dane.
Nissan’s luxury division had just released pricing details on the 2010 Infiniti G37 Convertible, now in its second model year. The car features the addition of the previous Premium Package equipment as standard for the Sport 6MT model, at a $3,050 saving value for customers. 
We are not sure yet whether this is just the result of the apparent worldwide panic of hypochondriac Toyota owners, and apparently neither is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), as it has begun an investigation of the 2009 and 2010 Corolla models. 
It is a fact that cars can do more and more by themselves every day. The way things are going, pretty soon we won’t need a driver’s license, we’ll just ask nicely our car to drive itself to the destination. Though that will be a sad day for car enthusiasts, another step has been taken towards that reality, as Volvo introduced its Pedestrian Detection system on its new S60.
After the International Automobile Federation (FIA) announced new sporting regulations for the 2010 season of Formula One – mainly focused at a new points format – the ruling body now proceeded to the same measures inside the World Rally Championship also.
A small, thrifty 1.3l 16-valve MultiJet diesel engine has been crammed by Italian carmaker Fiat under the hood of the 500, to replace the already old 75 bhp MultiJet found on the current generation. The differences between the two units will be visible in terms of both mileage and CO2 emissions, Fiat says. 
German carmaker Daimler will deliver 700 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters to the UK starting May 2010, after it has received a major order from Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions (BBUS), a Sheffield large construction firm. The new fleet of vans will form part of BBUS’ Zero Harm initiative, which aims to achieve a maximum level of occupational safety for all its employees by 2012.