General Motors pioneered the head-up display (HUD) in 1988, so it’s only fitting that the Detroit-based automaker is working on the next-generation of the technology. GM has partnered with several universities to develop its augmented-reality HUD technology, which superimposes the windshield with informative graphics.

Although the massive South by Southwest Festival is certainly taking center stage in Austin, Texas, that didn’t stop the area’s Lotus dealer from delivering the first Evora sold in North America.

Mazda’s French operations will take to the stage at Paris’ annual Salon du Cabriolet, Coupe & SUV next month with a special edition MX-5, also known as the Miata in North America. Swathed in a menacing matte black finish, this special edition helps Mazda celebrate the car’s 20th anniversary in the French market.

Scion has lightly updated its boxy xB with a light exterior refresh and a handful of interior upgrades for the 2011 model year. Set to go on sale in April in the United States, the 2011 Scion xB will retail from $16,000 – a $150 increase over the outgoing model.

In addition to the 8 million vehicles already being recalled by Toyota, another 1.2 million 2005-07 Corolla and Matrix passengers cars are being considered for a solution, which may or may not include a recall. Toyota is currently aware of a known issue where by the vehicles can stall without warning, but has yet to find a fix.

Scrappage schemes have provided a much needed prop to the world’s automakers, but with most incentives scheduled to expire by year’s end, another sales collapse could be right around the corner.

Moody’s Investor Service says it has taken note of Ford Motor Company’s recent sales gains and its strides toward long term profitability. As a result, it has upgraded the automaker’s credit rating to B2 from B3.

Every now and again Canadians are lucky enough to test out products before automakers take them to the U.S. or global markets. This time, Canada will gain access to an exclusive “accessory package” that thoroughly upgrades Kia’s hot new Koup SX.

McLaren has already teased us with hi-res images and two development videos of the MP4-12C, but the British automaker will fully unveil the production version of the all-new supercar tomorrow. The McLaren press conference is schedule for early Thursday.

Less than a week ago Leftlane reported that a BMW chairman confirmed that the luxury automaker will be introducing a new front-wheel drive vehicle that will slot between the BMW 1-Series and MINI branded vehicles. Today, we can report that BMW’s CEO, Norbert Reithofer, confirmed the future of at least one front-wheel drive BMW.

As some of you may recall from Leftlane’s recent reporting of Jay Leno’s ride on Mulholland in a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Mulholland is a beautiful and challenging curvy road in the hills of Malibu. Now Tanner Foust took to the hills of Mulholland behind the wheel of his 5.7-liter 600 horsepower V8-powered Scion tC.

General Motor’s newly acquired CFO – Chris Liddell – announced that there is a possibility of GM both returning to profitability and selling some shares before the close of 2010. Liddell did clarify that GM will not rush an IPO, and they do not have an exact timetable.

After favorable reactions from the auto show circuit, it seemed it would only be a matter of time before General Motors announced a production version of its Cadillac Converj concept. However, the most recent reports have indicated a production version of the Converj was quickly falling out of favor, with the project now looking officially dead.

Of the four brands General Motors attempted to cast off last year, only one wound up finding a buyer: Swedish automaker Saab. But even that deal was not without stumbles, as a failed effort to sell the brand to Koenigsegg proved. Yet it was a simple email to GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz that saved the small brand from extinction.

Toyota’s top officials have already faced off against U.S. lawmakers, and now the Japanese automaker is taking heat from our neighbors to the north. Canadian lawmakers claim Toyota waited too long to inform government officials of its safety problems and, as a result, are now considering more stringent regulations.

Recall-plagued Toyota has announced yet another recall – but this one is notable more for the lack of vehicles involved than for the severity of the issue. Just two 2010 Toyota Tundras have been officially recalled over a faulty front propeller shaft supplied by Dana Corp.

French-Japanese alliance Renault-Nissan says that it has inaugurated the first dedicated new car manufacturing facility opened jointly by the two automakers. Located in Chennai, India, the plant will eventually produce 400,000 new cars mostly aimed at the Indian market when production fully ramps up.

For those that still just can’t believe the Toyota iQ-based Cygnet is a real car, Aston Martin has released a configurator site for the tiny two-seater. The site allows you to pick a Cygnet paint scheme and background – including a Gulf livery scheme complete with a racing driver – but we’d opt for the camouflage in hopes that no one would see us.

On the eve of diesel guru Rudolf Diesel’s 152nd birthday, Alfa Romeo has announced a new diesel engine for its MiTo compact hatchback line. Developed by Alfa Romeo parent Fiat, the new 1.3-liter JTDM II turbodiesel sips fuel at a rate of just 55 mpg in the U.S. combined cycle.

This morning, Saab and the state of Michigan confirmed that the Swedish/Dutch automaker’s North American headquarters will relocate from General Motors’ Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit to the suburb of Royal Oak thanks to a $1.2 million five-year tax break. Saab was officially purchased by Dutch supercar manufacturer Spyker last month for $74 million.