General Motors auctioned off assets from the “old GM” that existed before the company’s bankruptcy filings in 2009. The sale, which lasted for more than 10 hours and was broadcast online, was largely composed of heavy machinery and plant equipment.

The assets come from GM’s Livonia plant, which built the Northstar V8 engine for high-end GM vehicles like Cadillac. The machinery was sent to countries including Turkey, Mexico and India. More interestingly, GM is also planning to offload property that includes an Indiana church, a golf course in New Jersey and thousands of robots used to assemble cars.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Buick is looking for ways to change its brand image and has so far done a good job with new designs, as well as the launch of new products like the LaCrosse and Regal. It will push further down-market with the introduction of the Verano compact car. But could Buick get smaller still? The answer is, yes.

GM’s European Opel and Vauxhall units have reportedly finished penning a new premium subcompact and with Buick borrowing heavily from Opel as of late there’s certainly a possibility that the small car could jump the pond.

Set to launch in 2013 in Europe, the car (code named Junior after the 1983 concept car) is reportedly 12.14 feet long, which would make it slightly smaller than both the MINI Cooper and Fiat 500. And with Chrysler set to introduce the 500 to U.S. shores later this year, GM would be wise to build a rival small car.

[Source: InsideLine]

It’s amazing to see what a design team can do when they don’t have their arms tied by accountants. For the 2010 LA Auto Show‘s annual Design Challenge, automakers were invited to create a vehicle that is good for the environment, attractive and exciting to drive, but it also much be safe, seat four and weigh less than 1,000 lbs.

Looking like they belong in anything from Tron to Avatar, nine automakers decided to take up the challenge presenting some seriously impressive concepts. The list of automakers includes: General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Smart, Toyota and Volvo.

The reason for the extensive list of entries is that for the first time, the 2010 Design Challenge includes design studios outside of California, meaning several entries came from Germany and Japan.

A panel of judges will pick the top design, based on criteria such as “artistic beauty, comfort, uniqueness of design, roadworthiness, sustainability, performance and user-friendliness. Oh, and the winner will have to meet the 1,000 lb mark as well. The winner will be announced November 18th, during the Design Los Angeles Conference at the LA Auto Show.

AutoGuide’s 2010 LA Auto Show coverage starts November 17th. Until then, see our LA Auto Show Preview here.

GALLERY: 2010 LA Auto Show Design Challenge

Official release after the jump:

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Have you ever seen a Nissan 350Z drifting? Sure, but what about a Cadillac CTS-V, Porsche GT3 RS, Mercedes CLK63 AMG Black Series or even a Ferrari 575 Maranello? Chances are you haven’t, but you’re about to.

The well-off car nuts at the Monticello Motor Club held their first ever “Drift With the Supercars” event just a few weeks back, inviting thrill seekers to test their tire-smoking, opposite lock abilities on the tremendous racetrack.

Based on the video there appear to have been judges present as well, handing out awards bragging rights to the best drift in several classes.

Cadillac has a special relationship with the folks at Monticello and so the new CTS-V Coupe plays a prominent role in the short video, even taking an award for the best drift in a brand new car.

[Source: Monticello Motor Club YouTube]

Check out the video after the jump:

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As a bunch of grown men (and women) we’ll admit to being as excited as an eight-year-old for the release of Pixar’s Cars 2. Then again, it’ll be hard to live up to the original, a movie that was as much for adults as for children, with a deep message about greed and the cost of progress, not to mention more auto-enthusiast jokes than you can shake a torque wrench at.

Set to hit theaters next summer, Disney and Pixar have just released the first trailer for the movie staring none-other than Lightning Mcqueen and his sidekick Mader.

Check out the trailer after the jump:

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Dodge has just released detailed info and pics on its latest revamped model, the 2011 Journey. Gaining a new corporate face, first shown on the new 2011 Charger, the Journey also sees exterior upgrades that include LED taillights and 19-inch wheels.

Improvements to the interior have also been made, marking a significant upgrade from the 2010 model. Chrysler has made interior trim quality a top priority for all of its new vehicles. Also available is Chrysler’s Uconnect Touch infotainment system.

Dodge claims improved ride and handling thanks to better tires, a modified suspension setup and a new steering system. Also helping to deliver a more engaging driving experience is the addition of Chrysler’s new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 producing 283-hp and 260 ft-lbs of torque. The new engine, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, should also help the Journey post much improved fuel economy numbers.

That info (as well as pricing) has yet to be released, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated.

GALLERY: 2011 Dodge Journey

Official release after the jump:

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Toyota has announced yet another massive recall, again for brake-related issues, but this time its different. The recall is not related to the now-supposed unintended acceleration issue, but to a faulty seal on the brake master cylinder. According to a Toyota press release the a small amount of brake fluid could leak out around the seal, causing a loss of brake pressure over time.

In the U.S. the recall affects 740,000 models including Avalon models sold from 2005 through 2006, Highlander (non Hybrid) and Lexus RX330 models sold from 2004 through 2006 and Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350 models sold in 2006.

Toyota advises that, “If the brake warning lamp has illuminated and the vehicle continues to be operated without refilling the master cylinder brake fluid reservoir, the driver will begin to notice a spongy or soft brake pedal feel and braking performance may gradually decline.”

Owners of affected vehicles will be notified by early November and asked to bring their automobile to their nearest Toyota or Lexus dealer for service,

Those with additional questions or concerns are asked to contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus Customer Satisfaction at 1-800-25 LEXUS or 1-800-255-3987, or visit www.toyota.com/recall or www.lexus.com/recall.

Official release after the jump:

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For those that grew up in the 1960s, the TV series the Green Hornet, probably rings a bell. The superhero’s whip, a modified 1966 Imperial Crown sedan, dubbed ‘Black Beauty‘ has since become one of the most famous TV cars of all time. An updated version of ‘Black Beauty’ (still based on a mid-1960s Imperial Crown however), has been created for a new feature length remake of the series to be aired in 2011 and starring Seth Rogen.

That car will be on display at the 2010 SEMA show, as part of Royal Purple’s display, along with Courtney Hansen, of Overhaulin’ fame and Spike’s Power Block TV.

At the show, Royal Purple; in addition to its well known synthetic oils, will be showcasing its own antifreeze additive, dubbed Purple Ice. The company claims that it reduces surface tension of radiator fluids for heat transfer. No doubt it keeps Black Beauty running in top form so the Hornet and  trusty wheelman Kato can catch the bad guys and keep our streets safe.

[Source: Royal Purple]

Recently Tony Hawk hosted an event dubbed Stand Up for Skateparks that featured a ton of today’s stars including Johnny Knoxville (Jackass 3D!), David Beckham and even Jane’s Addiction on stage. The event was basically a family-centric action-sports carnival and shows just how strong motorsports ties in with action sports.

DUB and Galpin Auto Sports teamed up to build a custom Tony Hawk 2011 Mustang GT 5.0 that was auctioned off. Stand Up for Skateparks focuses on fundraising for the Tony Hawk Foundation so everything went to a good cause. We’re digging the clean and conservative style of the Mustang, that still gives it a rugged, action sports-style to it all. It’s clear that DUB is making good friends with Ford, having first debut the DUB Edition Ford Mustang and now teaming up with GAS for this product.

[Source: DUB Daily]

Back during the first muscle car collection boom in the 1980s, the two big collections everybody knew about were Otis Chandler’s in the West and Milton Robson’s in the East.

Today, although many other high profile collections have spawned, fueled by a second boom during the last decade, Robson’s group of rare and interesting cars has remained one of the most notable – a diverse stable of prime automobiles that he amassed over more than 25 years.

Now, 55 cars in the collection are to be sold at auction, RM putting together a single vendor sale in Gainsville, GA on November 13. Among the cars up for grabs, include a whole fistful of prime Detroit muscle – notably a Starlight Black 1969 Ram Air IV Pontiac GTO Judge Convertible; a 1969 Chevy Camaro Yenko S/C and a 1969 ZL-1 Camaro (shown). The particular ZL-1 illustrated above is number 63 out of 69 built and features the ultra rare aluminum 427 big-block V-8 and four-speed manual gearbox – estimates place it’s value at between $500,000 and $750,000.

Other highlights of the auction include a 1969 Pontiac Firebird 400 convertible; 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS454 LS6 convertible, 1970 Ford Ranchero GT; 1970 Buick 455 GS and some rare full-size early muscle machines, including a lightweight 1962 Bel Air 409 as well as a selection of highly desirable 1950s cars like a 1957 DeSoto Adventurer convertible and a one-of-a-kind, supercharged 1953 Cadillac Eldorado.

For more information on this once in a life time auction event, click on the link below:

[Source: RM Auctions]