World-Business/Auto news

Mercedes-Benz USA Records February Sales of 14,870 passenger cars and light truck vehicles - an improvement of 4.7 percent over February 2009- Mercedes-Benz USA Records 515 Sales of Sprinter Vans- smart USA Records 442 Sales in February 2010 - a nearly 60 percent improvement over January 2010

Demand for best-selling A4/S4 models rose nearly 21% for the month- Audi Q5 and A5/S5 models continued to show consumer appeal- TDI clean diesel models made up nearly half of all A3 and Q7 sales

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported February 2010 sales of 17,054, an increase of 4.0 percent versus February 2009, and the fourth straight month of sales increases.

DETROIT, General Motors today announced a restructured North American organization with a number of key leadership changes.

Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today reported February 2010 sales of 70,189 units versus 54,249 units a year earlier, an increase of 29.4 percent, compared with February 2009.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported February sales of 100,027 vehicles. With equal selling days in February 2009 and 2010, sales were down 8.7 percent from the year-ago month on a daily selling rate and unadjusted raw volume basis.

Higher sales for every brand and in every product category propelled Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) to a 43 percent sales increase in February versus a year ago.  Compared with January, Ford's February sales are up 22 percent.

Subaru of America, Inc. today announced a 38-percent sales increase for February 2010, resulting in a February sales record. The company sold 18,098 units in February 2010 versus 13,089 units sold in February 2009.

The new concept car offers a particularly good rendition of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan in all its dynamic, efficient and innovative qualities, at the same time representing the ongoing development of the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 and the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 with their drivetrain technology already in production.

When the new Formula-1 season gets underway in Manama/Bahrain (12-14 March 2010), it will mark the debut of the most spectacular and powerful Official F1™ Safety Car of all time.

Development of the groundbreaking McLaren MP4-12C is entering its final phase. The bespoke high-performance sports car is due to launch in 2011, and right now the latest Experimental Prototype (XP) 12Cs are undergoing intensive appraisal at a number of test locations around the world.

Under the new label MercedesSport, Mercedes-Benz is presenting a portfolio of elegant and sporty individualisation products for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show.

With its agile handling and direct steering, the new Audi A1 is just a lot of fun. Dr. Horst Glaser, Head of Chassis Development at AUDI AG, tested the A1 together with DTM pilot Markus Winkelhock.

The next generation Kia Magentis will make its public world premiere at the New York International Auto Show on Friday 2 April 2010.

Lancia is back at the Geneva International Motor Show with the Delta, the Ypsilon and the Musa - prestigious cars that showcase the best of European style - on the Swiss ramps along with some Chrysler vehicles sealing their recent alliance.

Ford Motor Company is investing $155 million and adding 60 jobs at its Cleveland operations to build a new fuel-efficient V-6 engine for the 2011 Mustang, which has expected class-leading highway fuel efficiency of 30 miles per gallon on the highway and 305 horsepower.

Today Michael Macht, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Porsche, presented the Porsche 918 Spyder concept car at its world debut in Geneva.

ATLANTA, Today, on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show, Porsche unveiled an ultra-efficient, low-emission, mid-engine super sports car featuring hybrid and electric drive technology.

Volkswagen Fleet Services has undergone a team restructure to increase the focus and service offered to the contract hire and leasing market.

The PROTON Concept car, to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, showcases an advanced series hybrid drivetrain, designed and developed by Lotus Engineering.