Mazda Motor Corp. will officially unveil the redesigned Mazda5 compact minivan next month at the Geneva auto show. The 2011 model will feature improved seating flexibility, aerodynamics and fuel economy over the current Mazda5, according to the company.

2011 Mazda5

Power will come from a newly developed gasoline-direct-injection 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with automatic stop-start functionality. The powerplant will be mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Mazda says the combination generates 15% fewer emissions than the outgoing 2.0-liter mill and five-speed manual, which had a combined city/highway fuel economy rating of 24 mpg from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The first generation Mazda5 (known as the Premacy in Japan) was launched in 1999 in Japan and Europe. The second-generation bowed in 2006 in international markets, including the U.S. A makeover in 2008 added a new grille.

California-based Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc. confirms it has signed a letter of intent with Fisker Automotive to be the exclusive supplier of hybrid control systems for the automaker’s upcoming Karma extended-range hybrid vehicles. Quantum is a partial owner of Fisker.

The agreement covers the production and licensing of Quantum’s “Q-Drive” system that includes a proprietary hybrid controller, inverters, motor control software, on-board charger, DC-DC converter and solar roof module. Quantum also will receive a royalty payment on each Karma sold with the Q-Drive.

The agreement is subject to Quantum meeting Fisker Auto’s price, performance, quality and delivery specifications. The U.S. Dept. of Energy, which is providing loans to the EV maker, also must approve the deal.

The Q-Drive system combines an electric motor with a lithium-ion-battery pack mated to a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine supplied by General Motors Co. The combination is expected to yield a fuel efficiency of 100 mpg, including 50 miles in all electric mode. Zero to 60 mph acceleration is listed at 5.8 seconds.

Quantum says it currently is working to complete the development, testing and validation issues to meet safety and emissions standards. Production of the Karma, which was penned by former Aston Martin/BMW design chief Henrik Fisker, is due to begin as early as the 3rd quarter.

Toyota Tsusho Corp., a Toyota Motor Corp. affiliate, has signed a preliminary joint venture agreement with Australia’s Orocobre Ltd. to open a lithium mine in Argentina by the end of 2011.

The deal is intended to give Toyota access to an adequate supply of lithium for advanced batteries used in its next-generation hybrids and all-electric vehicles. Some analysts say a boom in lithium-ion batteries for cars could generate a shortage of the light-weight metal. South America has the largest reserve of lithium deposits. Bolivia alone is said to account for nearly half of the world’s supply.

Toyota Tsusho will be a 25% owner in the venture and will provide $4.5 million to fund a comprehensive feasibility study and other associated pre-development activities. This is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2010. Orocobre, which will own 75% of the venture, will run the operation.

Toyota Tsusho also will help secure a Japanese government-guaranteed low-cost debt facility that will cover at least 60% of future development costs. This will be handled through the Japan Oils, Gas and Metals National Corp., which helps Japanese companies secure supplies of mineral resources.

The new venture will be located on a 45.5-sq-mile section of the Salar de Olaroz reserve over a salt lake known for high levels of lithium in brine. The site already has full access to electricity, gas pipelines and railways.

In addition to producing hybrid/electric vehicles, Toyota has partnerships with battery makers that Orocobre hopes will give it a better understanding of the automotive and consumer battery markets.

Three years ago Toyota formed a joint venture with Panasonic Corp., which purchased a controlling stake in Sanyo Electric Co. last month. Both companies supply nickel-metal-hydride batteries for Toyota’s current hybrid vehicles and are developing next-generation lithium-ion systems for future models. Toyota Tsusho provides material supplies to Toyota Motor, as well as to Panasonic and Sanyo.

Toyota plans to launch a plug-in version of its Prius hybrid car with a lithium-ion battery in about two years. An all-electric car also is in the works.

Ford Motor Co.’s 2011 Mustang GT will serve as the pace car for next month’s Daytona 500. It will be the first time any Ford vehicle has paced the signature NASCAR event since a Torino GT handled the job in 1970.

2011 Ford Mustang GT

The Daytona Mustang will be sold later this month at the annual Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Ariz. It will be the first time a pace car has gone under the gavel before it carries out its on-track duties. Profits will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Ford previously announced that the new pony car will compete this season in NASCAR’s Nationwide Series—marking another Mustang first. But the Mustang is no stranger to the track, with Ford touting it as the most successful nameplate in American racing. Over the years, Mustangs have competed on the Grand-Am, IMSA, NHRA, NMRA and SCCA circuits.

The Daytona pace car will sport a special striped paint scheme, Brembo brake package, Ford Racing suspension, strut tower brace, special mufflers and 19-inch painted wheels. Power will come from the production model’s new 5.0-liter V-8 that makes 412 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque.

Daimler AG’s Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corp. unit plans to offer hybrid-electric variants of all its trucks in coming years, The Nikkei reports. Fuso President Albert Kirchmann announced the strategy but didn’t provide a timeline for when it would occur.

Fuso has offered hybrid versions of its Canter light truck and Aero Star large bus for several years. It also is taking the lead on the development of hybrid systems that will be used in a variety of Daimler trucks—including Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner models—with a goal of commonizing hybrid parts among the brands.

Kirchmann says Fuso’s rollout of new hybrids likely will begin in Japan, then spread to other markets. The company is in the process of launching export activities for its current hybrids, which thus far have been sold only in Japan. The plan calls for shipping 200 to 500 of the trucks to Hong Kong and Singapore this year.

Tony George, the controversial founder of the Indy Racing League (IRL), has resigned, effective immediately, from the board of directors of Hulman & Co. and all affiliated groups including IRL, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMS Productions. He was ousted from his position as IRL’s president/CEO last June as financial pressure mounted.

His mother, Mari Hulman George, remains chairman of Hulman & Co., the Indiana-based family business founded in 1850 as a wholesale grocery. Led by George’s grandfather, Tony Hulman, the company purchased the Indianapolis Speedway in 1945, helping to revive the legendary Brickyard after World War II and, with the help of three-time 500 champ Wilbur Shaw, rebuilt the track and restored its signature race, the Indianapolis 500.

George became IMS president in early 1990 following the death of Joe Cloutier. A year later he unsuccessfully attempted to purchase the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) open-wheel series. He launched the rival IRL series in 1996, polarizing much of the racing community. After years of feuding, the Champ Car World Series (CART’s successor) was merged into IRL last spring.

During George’s tenure, open-wheel racing was usurped by NASCAR as America’s premier race series. But he also oversaw the renovation of the Speedway, including adding luxury suites, building a new control tower and making improvements to pit row. Other successes include bringing NASCAR and Formula One races to IMS.

The 40-year-old George, who briefly raced in a developmental racing series in the late 1980s, is expected to stay involved in the IRL as the owner of Vision Racing, which he formed in 2005. His stepson, Ed Carpenter, is one of the team’s drivers.