TOP 10  -  Toyota sales down in August

Toyota Motor Corp.'s U.S. sales dropped 9.4 percent in August, dragged down by sagging sales of its sport utility vehicles and trucks, including the Tundra pickup produced in San Antonio.Sales of the Japanese automaker's SUVs and trucks were down 16.4 percent to 81,911 units from 97,964 a year ago. Consumers have shunned big vehicles in recent months because of gas prices and uncertainty over the weak economy.

[ Source : mysanantonio ]

TOP 9  -  Pushing the limit at Porsche school

When I was a little girl, I never fantasized about being whisked away on a white horse.Far sexier, thought I as a young woman, would be a white Porsche and enough horsepower to speed right past the pony express.I recently had the chance to participate in Porsche's first-ever women-only track day at Mosport International Raceway and I was whisked away in a beautifully engineered Porsche 911 Carrera S. It was silver, but it was still faster and more powerful than any horse. In fact, at 355 horsepower, it would be like having an entire herd at my command.

[ Source : canada ]

TOP 8  -  Nissan to make nine new models at Chennai plant

Japanese auto major Nissan today announced that it has plans to manufacture nine new models at its Chennai plant, which will become operational by 2010. Out of the nine, five will be for the Indian market.Nissan Motors India Managing Director Shouhei Kimura said, “India is a very important market for us. We have been focusing on how to localise the products and bring more models into the market.

[ Source : business-standard ]

TOP 7  -  RENNtech Mercedes-Benz 6.3 AMG, First Pictures And Details

The horsepower brokers over at RENNtech have turned their wrenches to the already powerful Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG to create what they consider to be a fitting heir to the Mercedes 6.3, appropriate given the name and the fact that latest C-Class has grown nearly to the size of that ultimate sedan. In order to achieve proper Überness, they've released the 6.2 AMG V8 from the grips of unnecessary restriction and managed to squeeze out nearly 100 additional horsepower. The sleek sedan achieves up to 548 HP and 510 lb-ft of torque thanks to new engine management, long-tube headers and new pipes. To handle all of that extra power you might want to opt for the new RENNtech brake kit and, just to be safe, throw in the height control suspension system and some Hasselhoff to complete the German experience. Full details in the release below the jump.

[ Source : jalopnik ]

TOP 6  -  Mazda Slides in Tokyo After Euro Drops Against Yen

Mazda Motor Corp., a third owned by Ford Motor Co., fell the most in a month after the euro weakened against the yen. Mazda fell 39 yen, or 6.9 percent, to close at 527 yen on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The carmaker exports about 80 percent of production in Japan and gets more than half of its operating profit from Europe. The euro fell to the weakest against the yen in more than a year after European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet said that the 15-nation euro region is in an ``episode of weak activity.''

[ Source : bloomberg ]

TOP 5  -  Kia Show Their Heart And Soul

KIA'S stylish new Soul is set to win over minds as well as hearts when it makes its debut at the Paris Salon de l'Automobile next month. The new car goes on sale in Europe next February and will have a choice of diesel and petrol engines based on the units already fitted to the European-built Cee'd. However, UK buyers will have to wait a little longer, because right-hand drive production is not due to start until March. According to Kia, the five-door urban crossover hatchback will be packed with chic design, liberating ideas and will offer cavernous passenger space for active people with busy lives.

[ Source : dailyrecord ]

TOP 4  -  Ford Expands Buyout Offers In Intensified Push

Ford Motor Co. is offering buyout packages at more plants and talking to workers individually as it intensifies its push to get more of them to leave the company by year end.The auto maker, which began plant-by-plant buyout offers in Kentucky and Ohio in June, is now offering the packages to workers in Michigan, Joe Hinrichs, Ford's group vice president of global manufacturing, said at an automotive conference in New York Thursday.

[ Source : wsj ]

TOP 3  -  Fiat seeking new partners in China as sales slide

Italian carmaker Fiat yesterday said it is struggling to meet its China sales target and is in talks with potential new partners as sales in its home market fall.Fiat's problems in China come as data showed a sharp slowdown in the world's second-largest car market last month due to the Beijing Olympics and sliding consumer confidence.Fiat chief executive Sergio Marchionne said the company's goal of selling 300,000 units in China by 2010 was under threat.

[ Source : gulf-daily ]

TOP 2  -  Audi's RS6 hits 100 km/h in a mere 4.5 seconds

New - If you're downsizing to avoid the wallet-thinning cost of fuelling up, then you're probably not in the market for the Audi RS6.This puppy is motivated by a twin-turbo V-10 engine that produces 571 horsepower and 480 foot-pounds of torque -- the latter comes on line at 1,500 r.p.m. and stays with the program to 6,250 r.p.m. Credit the 20-plus psi boost pressure.

[ Source : canada ]

TOP 1  -  BMW case: Sanjeev Nanda to be sentenced on Friday

A Delhi court is likely to hand out sentencing against Sanjeev Nanda, who was held guilty in the high-profile BMW hit-and-run case, on Friday. The prosecution in the case is seeking the maximum punishment of 10 years' jail term for Nanda, while the defence counsel is seeking Nanda's release on probation.

[ Source : expressindia ]