Ford ad for the new Taurus

F1 Season Begins Now - Virtually

By BRAD SPURGEON

Ferrari became the first team to launch its new car today - after Mercedes launched its new colors on the old Brawn car earlier in the week - and the teams seem already to be jockeying for position. Ferrari has already stated that the new car has set a record: The connections to the www.ferrari.com website. Read more here....

Haiti News From The Miami Herald

World leaders look at long-term help for Haiti

Foreign leaders and organizations joined the United States in pledging to help rebuild Haiti over the next decade, but costs and specific plans remain elusive

• Jan. 25: Haiti after the earthquake
• Complete coverage: Haiti's earthquake aftermath

G.M. Enters Agreement to Sell Saab to Spyker

By NELSON D. SCHWARTZ

Published: January 26, 2010

Spyker Cars, will pay G.M. $74 million in cash and $326 million in preferred shares from the new Saab-Spyker entity. The deal is set to close by mid-February. Read the story here....

NY Times Slide Shows

Slide Show: Kitchen Sink Cadillac

This Cadillac was loaded with conveniences to serve the on-the-go potentate with a hearty appetite.

Slide Show: 2010 Subaru Legacy

The new Legacy gets a chic, assertive design and offers more room for passengers.

Slide Show: 2010 Subaru Outback

The new Outback offers more room and a burlier exterior.

FOUR-LANE DRAG RACING TO BE SHOWCASED

FOUR-LANE RACING TO BE SHOWCASED AT CHARLOTTE EVENT IN MARCH
For the first time in NHRA, qualifying and eliminations in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle at an NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event will be conducted four-wide, at the inaugural NHRA Four-Wide Nationals March 25-28 at zMax Dragway. Read more…

The rules for the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway will be as follows:
* Qualifying will be conducted using four lanes
* Each category winner will be determined in three rounds of eliminations
* The two drivers to cross the finish line first in each of the four first rounds of eliminations will advance to the second round
* The two drivers to cross the finish line first in each of the two second rounds of eliminations will advance to the final round
* Each final round will feature four drivers in each category, and the single driver to cross the finish line first in the final will be declared the winner of the race, the second runner-up and so on.

News ~ Courtesy of Amy Chavez

1.Japan Lite: 'You know you've been in Japan waaay too long when... (@newsonjapan)
http://bit.ly/5SUl5e
2. Japanese PM Starts Blog and Tweeting (@BlogLinkJapan)
http://bit.ly/6mKCbz
3. The art of the Japanese bathroom RT @BAKOKO @JapanIntercult
http://post.ly/Hvln
4. Japanese schoolchildren often hold hanseikai, or 'reflection talks' (@newsonjapan)
http://bit.ly/5xjt1Z
5. A book to help cycling fans find added enjoyment in Tokyo (@newsonjapan)
http://bit.ly/7zasSY
6. Seijin no Hi (@BlogLinkJapan)
http://bit.ly/4w35gn
7. Takara Tomy unveils a portable "sound princess" for squeamish tinklers (@japan_pulse)
http://ow.ly/UZCf (Japanese)
8. Japanese invention: Dandelion Lamp (BlogLinkJapan):
http://bit.ly/8dEXMU
9. World's longest instant noodles measuring 1 meter go on sale (@japansociety)
http://ow.ly/ZThE
10. A day at the Anpanman Museum in Yokohama. How many characters can you name? (@shibuya246)
http://shibuya246.com/2010/01/12/anpanman-museum/

Bookoff chief guides firm out of attitude bind

Hiroshi Sato took the helm of Bookoff Corp., the nation's largest secondhand book store chain, in 2007, when the company's corporate survival was in doubt after weekly magazines broke news that the firm had rigged its accounts. Read the story here.....

Wheels

Video: A New Wave of Asian Automakers

On display at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show are Asian automakers who are hoping to break into the North American market by introducing electric cars or buying existing automakers.

Slide Show: Design in Detroit

The focus was on smaller cars, global production and interactivity at the 2010 North American International Auto Show.

Slide Show: Electric Power at the Detroit Auto Show

Hybrid-powered and electric vehicles were among the most compelling new cars on display at the North American International Auto Show.

Slide Show: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

Ford's high-performance Taurus offers more excitement than any family sedan in recent memory.

Ichiro Ozawa scandal

Ichiro Ozawa scandal clouds Japan's push for reform
The ruling Democratic Party of Japan vowed to shake up the country's powerful bureaucracy. Instead it's bogged down in a corruption probe against key strategist Ichiro Ozawa. 

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Japan's ruling Democratic Party Secretary-General Ichiro Ozawa (c.) attends a lower house plenary session next to former prime minister Tsutomu Hata (l.) at Parliament in Tokyo on Monday.

Toru Hanai/Reuters

Japan's 'cash for clunkers' to allow U.S. cars

DETROIT — The Japanese government on Tuesday agreed to let American-branded cars participate in the government's "cash for clunkers" plan, a move that could momentarily boost U.S. makers' tiny sales there. Read more here....

Born in Japan, but ordered out

Nationality in Japan is based on blood and parentage, not place of birth. This island nation was closed to the outside world until the 1850s, when U.S. warships forced it to open up to trade. Wariness of foreigners remains a potent political force, one that politicians dare not ignore, especially when the economy is weak.
As a result, the number of illegal immigrants has been slashed, often by deportation, from 300,000 in 1995 to just 130,000, a minuscule number in comparison to other rich countries. The United States, whose population is 2 1/2 times that of Japan's, has about 90 times as many illegal immigrants (11.6 million). Read more of this story here……

Volkswagen completes Suzuki tieup

Kyodo News

Germany's Volkswagen AG became Suzuki Motor Corp.'s biggest shareholder Friday under a capital tieup accord reached last December, Suzuki said.

The major German automaker holds a 19.9 percent stake in the minicar maker, completing its payments for Suzuki's private placement of shares.

The Suzuki-Volkswagen tieup came after the Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture-based automaker ended its long capital alliance with General Motors Co.

Suzuki used shares it had bought back from GM and kept as treasury stock for the private placement.

Welcome to Autosport International

Welcome to our new website for motorsport professionals.
Autosport International, now in its 20th year, is the largest dedicated trade motorsport exhibition in Europe. The format of the show incorporates two trade, followed by two public days, uniquely catering for the industry and motorsport fans alike. This site caters specifically for the motorsport professionals. Our dedicated public visitor site will be available soon.

Autosport International covers all areas of motorsport, both professional as well as grass roots, from karting right up to Formula 1. This allows both visitors and exhibitors to meet motorsport professionals in a business-to-business environment, yet also market products directly to motorsport enthusiasts. During the first two trade days, the show incorporates Autosport Engineering, a specialist show dedicated to motorsport and high performance engineering.

To obtain information on the various areas of the show please use the menu bar at the top of the page.

Tokyo Auto Salon 2010

Vistors to the Tokyo Auto Salon in Makuhari Messe this weekend will be treated to a visual feast of bodies, paint jobs, shiny exteriors, blinged accessories and curvy models. And those are just the girls draped over the cars. Despite the recession that decimated last autumn’s Tokyo Motor Show, business is still healthy at Japan’s—OK, make that the world’s—largest custom car show. There’ll be more than 400 companies participating this year, with some 630-odd vehicles on display, in addition to booths for parts makers and automotive businesses. Live entertainment is being organized by J-pop behemoth Avex, which often pulls out its big hitters for the event: previous years have been soundtracked by Crazy Ken Band, TRF and Ami Suzuki. Visitors who are just going for the automotive eye candy can vote in the Tokyo International Custom Car Contest, with categories for Concept Car, Tuning Car, Sedan, Minivan, Wagon, SUV, Compact Car and Eco-Car. Advance tickets cost ¥1,700 and are available at convenience stores; admission on the day is ¥2,000 for adults and ¥1,500 for junior and senior high school students.

Tokyo Auto Salon 2010
Exhibition of custom cars and related products. Jan 15, 1-6pm, ¥2,500 (adv)/¥3,000 (door); Jan 16, 9am-6pm; Jan 17, 9am-5pm, ¥1,700 (adv)/¥2,000 (door). Makuhari Messe, Chiba. Nearest stn: Kaihin-Makuhari. www.e-autosalon.net

品川シーサイドでミニ展示会を開催。

オフィス街のランチタイム、映画に登場し話題の新型カマロ、レー シングマシンがベースで最強市販モデルのZ06、キャデラックV シリーズから、最高出力564PSを誇るCTS-Vを展示。お昼 休みのひと時、気軽にご覧いただいていました。

Ford Japan recalls Explorer SUVs

Kyodo News

Ford Japan Ltd. will recall 13,729 units of its Explorer sport utility vehicle in Japan due to a defect in the speed control deactivation system that could catch fire, according to a report filed with the transport ministry.

The vehicles subject to the recall were manufactured between November 1994 and August 2002, the ministry said.

Although there have been no reports of any fires in Japan, there have been numerous reports in the United States, where about 4.5 million of the car have been recalled, according to the ministry.

In its report to the ministry, Ford said a structural flaw in the cruise control deactivation switch could cause a fire as brake fluid could leak and overheat.

Ford recalled a total of 2,000 units of its cars in 2006 and 2007 in Japan for the same defect, but it filed an additional recall report because the manufacturing dates were expanded for cars subject to recalls in the U.S.

Complete coverage of the North American International Auto Show

The 2010 Detroit Auto Show Complete coverage of the North American International Auto Show, with first glances at new cars, videos from the floor and more.

Wheels

Video: Focusing on the Future

Jerry Garrett surveys a subdued 2010 Detroit Auto Show.

Slide Show: 2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo

Beneath the sow's-ear styling of the 5 Series Gran Turismo is a silk-purse driving experience.

Slide Show: Reunited With a Lost Corvair

Craig Pursley's search for a car like the one he drove as a teenager led to a surprising discovery.

Wheels: Detroit Auto Show

The Audi e-tron that was unveiled at the Detroit auto show on Monday. 

It is the second concept Audi has revealed with the e-tron name.

Dispatches from the the 2010 North American International Auto Show, where the mood could be described as post-apocalyptic.  Read on…..

http://www.naias.com/home.aspx 

Imported auto sales in Japan down 18.6% to 21-year low in 2009

Saturday 09th January, 07:00 AM JST

TOKYO —

New imported vehicle sales in Japan last year fell 18.6% from the previous year to a 21-year low of 178,527 units due to a serious economic slump, an industry body said Friday. The sales figure, including vehicles that were produced abroad and imported by Japanese carmakers, was the lowest since 1988 when sales totaled 134,767 units, said the Japan Automobile Importers Association.
   
The total included 160,904 foreign-brand vehicles, down 17%, and 17,623 Japanese-brand vehicles, down 30.4%. New imported passenger car sales decreased 18.6% to 167,889 units and truck sales 18.1% to 10,612 units.
Volkswagen remained the top-selling imported vehicle brand in Japan last year, capturing 21.24% of Japan’s imported vehicle market with sales at 37,928 units, down 16.7%. BMW replaced Mercedes-Benz as the second-best seller, with a market share of 16.29%, while Mercedes-Benz was third with 16.10%.

FORD GALAXIE

In Cuba's Time Capsule, an Automotive Legacy

By TOM COTTER

In the heart of Havana's historic district, a museum displays cars, trucks and motorcycles that represent the last century of Cuba's automotive history.

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  Slide Show: Checking Out Cuba's Antique Car Museum

  At the Depósito del Automóvil, the country's official antique car museum, a century of automotive history is on display.
  
  

  Slide Show: Touring German Car Museums

  A glimpse of what's on display at the Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche museums.
  

  
  
  
  

1930 Chevrolet sedan

Two young ladies coming from prayer meeting. 

1930 Chevrolet sedan

Giant Tuna Fetches $177, 000 at Japanese Auction

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A giant bluefin tuna fetched $177,000 in an auction at the world’s largest wholesale fish market in Japan. Read the story here….

Car News

A mightier Mustang: Ford offers 5.0-liter engine option By Sharon Silke Carty, USA TODAY PHOTO GALLERY: Muscle car wars DRIVE ON: GM claims edge in Camaro vs. Mustang sales slapdown MORE CARS: Toyota launches new Sienna on bet minivans coming back DRIVE ON: American muscle will dominate next round of classic cars