Auto News 5

AutoNation, the nation's largest dealership group, posted higher net income for the first quarter as U.S. consumers replaced their aging vehicles at an increasing clip. AutoNation reported net income from continuing operations of $73.

NSG Automotive Group is developing a rating system that will quantify the environmental impact of automotive products throughout their life and give an insight into how this is offset during the life of the vehicle. Matthew Beecham talked with Andy Richards, Global Product Manager, Pilkington Automotive Limited to find out more.

Our spies have caught the new 800bhp V8-powered McLaren F1 hypercar testing

The current Mazda CX-9 isn't sold in the UK, but its replacement is set to come here in late 2013

New network of 40 dealers will sell Great Wall’s vehicles across Britain

Ford will suspend production at its plant in Cologne, Germany, for as many as eight days before the summer break starts in July because of falling sales in southern Europe.

General Motors says some of its suppliers have been affected following the huge explosion at Nylon 12 resin producer, Evonik's chemicals factory last month.

A baby Mercedes SLS will go into production in 2014, and it could be joined by a crossover, Auto Express has learned

Delphi has raised its 2012 earnings per share (EPS) guidance after booking first quarter net income of US$342m compared with $291m in Q1 2011 on revenue up 2.4% to $4.1bn.

New baby Porsche Boxster with mid-engined rear-wheel-drive chassis and 200bhp flat-four is planned for 2014

Data released by JATO Dynamics shows that the market leading Volkswagen Golf, Nissan's Qashqai and the new Toyota Yaris are the only models in the top ten sellers to have recorded improved sales in March.

PSA Peugeot Citroën has posted first-quarter 2012 group revenues of EUR14.3bn (US$18.9bn) down 7% and reflecting continuing European recession.

The CO2 emissions threshold for cars that qualify for road tax exemption could be lowered from 99g/km to 85g/km

Johnson Controls has appointed Brian Kesseler to the newly created position of chief operating officer (COO) for the company's 'Power Solutions' business - automotive batteries.

New Aston Martin DBS gets One-77-inspired look and a power boost to 550bhp

Insurance company leaves reader without a courtesy car after her Vauxhall Zafira was written off in a collision with uninsured driver

Peugeot has previewed an SUV-styled variant of the brand's recently launched 208 subcompact hatchback with the Urban Crossover Concept.

From Lotus

Lotus is proud to present the official video of its LMP2 endurance team created by Daniel Simon.

Hollywood designer Daniel Simon, who is known for movies like Tron: Legacy and the famous black and gold livery of the Lotus LMP2 car, visited the inaugural race of the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship and accompanied the Lotus team day and night.

This clip shares moments of the Lotus team at the 12 Hours of Sebring where the crew finished in 6th place in the LMP2 category and 10th overall at their very first endurance race.

From GMM

Well-known Brazilian commentator Reginaldo Leme has defended Felipe Massa, amid the Ferrari driver's career crisis.

Massa's Ferrari seat hangs in the balance, and according to his boss Stefano Domenicali, he will have to improve in order to simply stay on the F1 grid with any team next year.

But Leme has pointed the finger of blame at Ferrari's struggling F2012 car.

"It is very difficult to give an explanation for any driver's bad phase," Leme acknowledged on the Redacao Sportv programme.

"The car is very bad. The fact that Alonso is always scoring (points) just shows that the Spaniard is the best driver of this generation. No other driver, however good, could get anything out of that car. I think that's what's happening with Massa," said Leme.

Felipe Massa, Ferrari F2012. (Photo: WRi2)

Felipe Massa will drive Ferrari's heavily updated Barcelona-spec car at the Mugello test next Wednesday, while Alonso will drive on Tuesday and Thursday.

Turning his attention to the 2012 championship, meanwhile, Reginaldo Leme said consistency is more important than ever before, with four separate teams having won races so far.

"Look at Webber -- he has been fourth four times and is third in the championship. Hamilton has been third three times and is right in contention."

The 2012 edition of the famous Who Works in Motorsports book has been released and covers 17 motorsport series this year.

Accordfing to the Publisher, Who Works in Motorsports remains the only publication to contain those all-important details on decision makers, opinion formers and journalists from across the industry.

A unique reference tool, the fully updated edition now includes information on 17 series, including: ALMS, DTM, ELMS, Eurocup Clio, Eurocup Megane Trophy, FIA GT1 World Championship, Formula One, Formula Renault 3.5, Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup, GP2, Grand-Am, IndyCar, NASCAR Sprint Cup, V8 Supercars, WEC, WRC and WTCC.

The book contains the names, faces, positions, addresses, phone numbers, emails, Facebook & Twitter accounts of the key personnel.


Every aspect of each championship is covered, including: teams, drivers, team principals, key staff, crew members and car technical specifications, sponsors, suppliers, marketing, PR and press officers, photographers and journalists, circuits and rallies, officials, calendars, entry lists and race schedules.

Printed in hardback with 1008 pages of contact details and more than 6000 colour images ensures the completely updated Who Works in Motorsports 2012 remains the indispensable guide and reference tool for use throughout the year.

Who Works In titles are available online at www.whoworksin.com, by emailing info@whoworksin.com or calling +44 20 7193 0686.

Further details are also available on the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/whoworksin.formulaone.