(December 17, 2009) Buick will offer its LaCrosse CX model with a new fuel-efficient, direct injected Ecotec 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine priced at $26,995 (including $750 destination charge).  The 4-cylinder is the third engine choice in the all new 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan. Backed by a fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission, the new powertrain combination is expected to deliver fuel economy of 30 mpg highway and 20 mpg city making LaCrosse one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its segment.

(December 16, 2009) Zhejiang Geely Holding Group aims to conclude the acquisition of Ford's Volvo unit in early 2010 and has hired consultants for restructuring and integration, sources with direct knowledge of the deal said.

German-based Roland Berger Strategy Consultants has been hired to launch a 100-day internal review and restructuring to improve Geely operations with a focus on sales of Geely's self-branded cars in China, a source told news agency Reuters.

(December 16, 2009) Rinspeed, the Swiss creators of crazy concepts for the Geneva auto show, has turned its attention to urban mobility, unveiling on Wednesday the UC electric commuter vehicle.

(December 16, 2009) Aston Martin today released the first official images of the ‘Cygnet’ — a new luxury commuter concept car.

The Cygnet concept represents a creative, environmentally conscious solution, being small, yet with presence — and highly fuel efficient, now combined with the prestige of Aston Martin’s luxury brand ownership.

(December 15, 2009) Toyota showed its new plug-in hybrid Monday, available for leasing this month in Japan, the U.S. and Europe, and promised the green vehicle for sale to regular consumers by 2011 at an "affordable" price.

The plug-in Prius is the first from Toyota Motor Corp. packed with a more powerful lithium-ion battery that's different from the batteries used in Prius hybrids on roads today. A plug-in is even friendlier to the environment than the regular Prius because it travels longer as an electric vehicle.

(December 15, 2009) Toyota announced today that it will stage the world debut of a new dedicated hybrid concept vehicle during the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The vehicle will be revealed during a news conference held on Monday, Jan. 11, in the Riverview Ballroom at COBO Hall.  News conference schedules are being finalized and exact timing will be revealed in the coming weeks.

(December 15, 2009) Saab has announced that it had closed on the sale to Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings Co. of certain Saab 9-3, current 9-5 and powertrain technology and tooling.  Saab will assist BAIC to integrate this technology into future BAIC vehicles.

(December 13, 2009) For the second consecutive year, Ford has captured Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com “Best Redesigned Vehicle” award, this time for the hot-selling Taurus sedan. Last year, the honor went to the 2009 Ford F-150.

(December 14, 2009) From America’s new cars and trucks launched in 2009, the Ford Flex will become the most desired by future car collectors. That is the prediction of the Friends of the National Automotive History Collection (NAHC).

Members of the organization, which supports the world-famous automotive collection at the Detroit Public Library, vote annually to predict the “Collectible Vehicle of the Future” from the year’s new American-built cars and trucks. The Ford Flex was selected from eight all-new vehicles launched in 2009.

(December 12, 2009) The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty has been named Motor Trend magazine's truck of the year, beating out contenders from Ford and Toyota in the closely watched competition.

The award is a welcome piece of good news for Chrysler, which has seen its sales continue to lag even as competitors rebound. The Ram Heavy Duty beat out three other competitors — The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, the Ford Transit Connect van and the Toyota Tundra 4.6-liter work truck.