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AvtoVAZ plans to launch automatic transmission versions of the Lada Granta by September.

Ford, with overseas losses reducing total profit, is under pressure to close at least one factory in Europe, where it may have more excess capacity than rival General Motors.

Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association chairman Akio Toyoda has urged the Japanese government to review automobile-related taxes to help stimulate the domestic market.

Kongsberg Automotive says it has secured a EUR287m (US$254m) seat contract with an unnamed OEM, continuing its policy of initially declining to name clients.

U.S. auto companies will hire more people and expand plants over the next year to keep up with increasing consumer demand for vehicles to replace aging cars and trucks, according to a report released today.

The Renault-Nissan alliance said on Friday it will invest $160 million to produce 80,000 Nissan Rogues at Renault's South Korean factory in an attempt to increase the cost competitiveness of the struggling operation.

European automakers are offering unprecedented discounts and incentives in a brutal price war to try to lure the few consumers still buying cars in a deepening five-year sales slump.

Johnson Controls said net income in the quarter that ended June 30 rose 17 percent to $417 million from $357 million but the supplier lowered its forecast for earnings in the fourth quarter because of "softness" in "global markets" and a lower euro.

European automakers are offering unprecedented discounts and incentives in a brutal price war to try to lure the few consumers still buying cars in a deepening five-year sales slump.

From GMM

Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren? Paul di Resta is ruling out nothing.

The Force India driver admitted at Hockenheim that within weeks he will have to make a "crucial" decision.

"Anybody would like to drive for Ferrari at some point in their life for what they represent in formula one," he said. "With Mercedes, I've been part of that family for a long time. I want to be winning races and championships, that's the important thing, the ultimate goal."

Paul di Resta driving the VJM05 Sahara Force India. (Photo: WRi2)

And what about McLaren?

The famous British team also has a theoretical vacancy for 2013, with Lewis Hamilton telling reporters on Thursday he "can't deny" McLaren's form since he won the title in 2008 has been disappointing.

"There are drives everywhere," di Resta told reporters. "It's fairly confusing what is going on at the moment, even with Lewis. There's still two (race) weekends to go and I believe that (the August break) is the time when you start to make sure you are putting yourself in the right places and making sure you know what you are doing. It is a crucial decision. I'll need to decide pretty quickly what way I want to go."

Paul di Resta, who recently split with his manager Anthony Hamilton, confirmed at Hockenheim that he is now taking advice from Jenson Button's management team.

"The biggest thing for me is to make sure I'm in a formula one car next year because that's where I want to be," he said.

For the past few weeks, there are been a lot of talks about the famous Concorde Agreement in Formula 1. What is it exactly and was it instaured?

It is a legal document which was signed for the first time in 1981 by all the F1 teams at the headquarters of the FIA located Place de la Concorde in Paris, France.

It basically gave the FIA a considerable financial income by ceding some of its power in exchange for a percentage of the television rights for F1 racing.

This ultra confidential document bonds all F1 teams entered in the World Championship to the FOM, the Formula One Management and the holder of the commercial rights. It states how F1 must be run and organised, the contractual obligations of the teams and it confirms a certain stability of the technical regulations.

More importantly, the document specifies in details how the television revenues must be shared between FOM and the teams. It states the percentage each team is allowed to get, based on its classification in the World Championship.

History
The F1 world changed dramatically with the introduction of the turbo engines by Renault in 1977. A powerful unit, it forced the other teams, using the veteran Cosworth DFV, to use imaginative technical solutions to keep up with it. Colin Chapman created the Lotus 79, the first F1 car to mmake use of ground effect.

Soon, the F1 teams were divided into two clans. The major car manufacturers (Ferrari, Renault and Alfa Romeo) which supported ther FIA, called the “legalists”, and the smaller teams that relied on the Cosworth engine (called the “assemblers” by Enzo Ferrari...) and led by no other than Bernie Ecclestone.

Start of the 1980 South-African Grand Prix, the two Renault turbo-engines are leading. (Photo: WRI2)

The two clashed on several occasions, leading to certain Grands Prix to be excluded from the FIA World Championship. Ecclestone threatened to oganise a rival series if the FIA would not accept to change the rules in order to allow the “assemblers” to keep up with the turbo teams.

Early 1981, the South African Grand Prix was held at Kyalami without the “legalists”. It was a flop. Ecclestone realised he needed the support of the big players, especially Ferrari...

The two clans had to find a solution. Intense negtiations started between Marco Piccinnini of Ferrari (representing the “legalists”) and Max Mosley, Ecclestone's right hand man.

After 11 days of hard work, the maiden Concorde Agreement was signed in Paris, March 4 1981, eleven days prior to the Grand Prix of Long Beach.

The Concorde Agreement has a specified duration, and has to be renewed on a regular basis.

Today, Toyota introduced the latest version of its popular crossover with some style changes and a few improvements. Better yet, the 2013 Venza retails at $700 less than last year's model.

The restyled exterior now features new rear tail lights, and heated, convex blind-spot mirrors with built-in turn signals. The grille and the fog lamps have also been updated.

The 2013 Venza also offers more cargo space, faux-wood paneling, a three-spoke telescopic steering wheel and 7 airbags. Plus, the vehicle comes standard with automatic climate control.

The combined fuel rating for the 4-cylinder is 8.6 L/100 km. Toyota has not yet released fuel ratings for its 6-cylinder model.

Photo: Toyota

Photo: Toyota

After 7.5 months of driving our beloved Subaru WRX every day, with the newest edition to our family nestled in the back seat, I'm ready to change it up a bit and get back behind the wheel of the latest automotive models on the market. Time to get back in the cubicle and back out on the road while my husband plays Mr. Mom for the remainder of the year (I still can't believe he agreed to this).

Over the past few months I've come to realize this: Never wear white when you have a newborn, and I don't think I could ever quit my job.


Here's the thing; not only am I fairly passionate about my work, but I also enjoy the novelty of driving a new vehicle every week. A lot of people I know (mostly older family members) balk at the idea of getting behind the wheel of a brand new vehicle every seven days. The thought of learning where buttons and knobs are, friction points and vehicle size throw them off. They'd rather settle into one car and not have to worry about learning all the ins and outs over and over again.

But I love it.

I love the unknown of a new car. Discovering the car's quirks (good and bad); getting a feel for a new clutch, gear ratios and acceleration; I revel in it. I welcome the frustrations, the elation and the letdowns. It's all part and parcel when it comes to testing. Which is why I could never stop doing what I do. This was made painfully clear to me while I was on maternity leave. While I loved every moment at home with my son, I also painfully wanted to be out trying new cars.

Don't get me wrong, I couldn't be happier with my WRX. Actually, I could be happier (if it had more room in the back seat for a baby and a larger trunk), but that's a subject for another blog. The Rex has been a fantastic car, and I was glad to have AWD over the winter months with a newborn in the back. But at the same time I couldn't help but sigh a little in disappointment each morning when I got behind the wheel, thinking to myself: “This car, again?”

Instead of taking the opportunity to bond with the Rex, I ended up being more annoyed with it than anything else. From a steering U-joint breaking to the radio going on the fritz, it seemed the car disliked being with me as much I did it. It was time for us to go our separate ways before things got any worse.

So, I've decided I will work until I croak behind the wheel. Either that, or become so rich and famous that I can afford to purchase a brand new car every week or so. One way or the other, you're all going to have to put up with me for quite a bit longer.

Intermittent rain showers rendered times fairly irrelevant in terms of determining form in the first day of practice for the Grand Prix of Germany in Hockenheim. Because of the rain, teams frequently had to cut short evaluation runs for the updates they have brought with them.

Jenson Button, McLaren (Photo: Pirelli)

McLaren's Jenson Button set the fastest time in the morning session in his updated McLaren that features revised sidepods. His teammate Lewis Hamilton was second ahead of Fernando Alonso on the Ferrari. Button set his fast time when the track was completely dry.

Williams' test driver Valtteri Bottas set the 13th fastest time but crashed Bruno Senna's FW34 after he missed his braking for the Sachs hairpin corner in the stadium.

Mark Webber, Red Bull, and Daniel Ricciardo, Toro Rosso (Photo: Pirelli)

Mercredes' Michael Schumacher and Sauber's Sergio Pérez rounded out the Top 5.

After the lunch break, Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado emerged quickest in the second free practice session in his Renault-powered Williams.

More intermittent rain showers meant that the conditons were difficult, but the track because a bit more dry at one moment.

Pastro Maldonado, Williams (Photo: Pirelli)

Maldonado had the chance to be out on the race track at the right moment, and with the right sort of tires.

Continue reading F1 Germany: Rain causes chaos in free practice session at Hockenheim (+photos)

From GMM

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has not been seen at Hockenheim so far, raising suggestions he is afraid of arrest.

German newspapers - including FT Deutschland, Suddeutsche Zeitung and Munchner Merkur - say corrupt former F1 banker Gerhard Gribkowsky has this week spent no fewer than eight hours in conversation with Munich prosecutors.

The subject? A possible indictment against F1's chief executive.

Ecclestone, however, insists he is not staying away from Germany this weekend for fear of ending the day in custody, also charged with corruption.

"I am going. I will be there on Saturday," the Briton is quoted by the Hamburger Abendblatt.

But is he afraid of arrest?

"I have nothing to do with the case," Ecclestone insisted.

Concorde Agreement
Ecclestone did not say much about the issue of the Concorde Agreement and Mercedes.

Reports, essentially confirmed by Mercedes' Norbert Haug, indicated that Mercedes is in fact yet to sign on the dotted line.

"I am sure Mercedes will soon issue a press release on the subject," Ecclestone told DAPD news agency when asked about Mercedes' apparent agreement.

"I will speak with them at Hockenheim," he then added. "Hopefully there'll be a final decision there."

Nurburgring
About the deep financial problems of the famous Nurburging race track Haug says he is confident the circuit can overcome its problems.

"I don't think the lights are going out," he is quoted by Die Welt newspaper.

"I am sure that solutions will be found," said German Haug.

A turbocharger is a compressor driven by an engine's exhaust gasses that blasts more air and fuel into the combustion chambers to create more power. Using a turbocharger to make a little engine perform like a big one is one of the oldest go-fast tricks in the book.

In Hyundai's new Veloster Turbo, heavy throttle application gets its turbocharger spinning away within a half-second or so, after which point a torque-rich forward surge of momentum blasts the little three-door along in a delightful hurry.


The Veloster Turbo
Numbers? The standard Veloster uses a 1.6L direct-injected engine to make 138 horsepower. Adequate. The addition of a turbocharger on the latest Veloster variant bumps output up to 201. Fun.

Wrap that output in a compact body that's lighter than a Honda Civic Si or Volkswagen GTI, and you've got what Hyundai promises to be a fun little ride.

Uniqueness aplenty
Veloster Turbo looks the part of an entertaining little beastie, too. Admittedly, the strangely-sculpted fascia has a number of vents and flaps and a massive, droopy mouth like a plecostomus. But the side skirts, rear bumper diffuser and projector lights with LED accents leave little doubt that this machine aims to entertain.

And, like the Tiburon before it, this is one of the segment's most instantly recognizable uses of energetic design, unconventional looks and mandatory boy-racer visual cues. It's a fun car to look at.

Don't miss the dual, centre-mounted exhausts (à la late-nineties Dodge Viper), or the ‘Turbo' badge on the trunk and seats. Both ensure recognition of your investment in motoring fun from the local car crowd.

You can even order your Veloster Turbo with non-reflective matte paint, which is becoming all the rage with rich folks and rap video producers.

Like the Tiburon before it, this is one of the segment's most instantly recognizable uses of energetic design and unconventional looks. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

Sporty functionality
It's functional, too. The third door makes rear-seat access easier. Trunk space is adequate, and the cockpit is jammed with at-hand storage and power outlets. A slick looking navitainment screen, color-keyed grab handles on the doors and a punchy stereo round out the package.

Headroom will be tight for vertically gifted drivers, though ultimately, Veloster Turbo's cabin is a sporty, functional and upscale place to be.

Straight-line smiles
The overall driving experience is a mixed bag. The strong, clean, full-throttle rush to redline is a treat. So is the robust hum from the engine room, and the piles of torque that arrive by 2,000 rpm. Downshifting will typically prove optional for passing and merging maneuvers. Often, it feels remarkable for a 1.6L engine.

Brakes are another plus. They engage abruptly and with authority - and pedal feel and precision create confidence in Veloster Turbo's ability to ditch forward momentum in a hurry.

The strong, clean, full-throttle rush to redline is a treat. So is the robust hum from the engine room, and the piles of torque that arrive by 2,000 rpm. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

Relaxed sportiness
So accelerating and decelerating will leave virtually any driver with a smile on their face. But, given the looks and power output, your writer, who was raised on mid-nineties sports compacts, wanted this little Korean rocket-hatch to be a bit more hardcore.

The factory Kumho Solus tires mounted to the business end of the Veloster Turbo's revised suspension delivered a loosely locked-down dynamic when pushed in an autocross course, and during emergency maneuvers at speed. The precise brakes help drivers shift weight on and off of the front axle easily and smoothly as needed.

The overall result is handling that's slippery around its limits, and no apologies made for a little under or oversteer. The slipperiness mostly keeps things lively and entertaining - though at the expense of all-out precision.

Additionally, the steering and suspension are both soft around the edges and prioritize a relaxed driving feel and good ride quality over all-out accuracy and lightning reflexes. It's easygoing first, responsive second.

Throttle and clutch calibrations, too. The latter holds power well for hard launching, though it's moderately vague and lacks bite. And the electronic throttle smoothes driver inputs and reacts slowly, and only after a brief pause. So, forget heel-and-toe shifting or downshift rev matching unless you're willing to be patient.

The factory Kumho Solus tires mounted to the business end of the Veloster Turbo's revised suspension delivered a loosely locked-down dynamic when pushed in an autocross course, and during emergency maneuvers at speed. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

Refinement first, reflexes second
All the softness dialed in works towards smooth, manageable power delivery and a refined driving experience. It also makes it easy to drive the stick shift equipped model smoothly, even if you haven't handled a shifter and clutch in years.

So, Veloster Turbo isn't a twitchy, high-strung, ultra-precise sports car. For some, that's ideal. Most drivers won't mind the calibrations, but big-time driving enthusiasts will wish for more instant reactions to their commands.

End of the day, the stand-out reasons to check out the Veloster Turbo will be styling, pricing, functionality, utility, and the zippy performance. Uniqueness and standout looks are big here, too. Veloster Turbo also promises great fuel mileage, thanks to direct injection, standard six-speed transmissions and light weight.

The stand-out reasons to check out the Veloster Turbo will be styling, pricing, functionality, utility, and the zippy performance. (Photo: Justin Prichard)

Those after a sporty car that's easy and relaxed in day-to-day driving will gravitate towards the Veloster Turbo after a test drive. Those after an instant, razor-sharp weapon with cat-like reflexes, or something for weekend track days, may not.

Pricing starts at $26,000 for a very well-equipped model with six-speed manual, and units are arriving at dealer lots now.

From GMM

Carlos Gracia, the highest-ranking Spanish motor racing official, has criticised Marussia after the team implied Maria de Villota's recent testing accident was her fault.

Without actually saying the crash into a stationary truck during straightline aerodynamic testing was driver error, Marussia recently revealed that an internal investigation showed the car had not failed.

Asked how he had digested the statement, Gracia - president of Spain's sanctioning body and an FIA vice-president - admitted he read it "with some indignation".

"I think it was not necessary when the (external) investigation is ongoing," he told AS newspaper.

"I see it that they want to shift the responsibility to Maria, but we need to wait if she can recover her memory. In any case, even if it was a driving mistake, there was a failure of logistics, when we speak about a truck ramp that acted like a knife. It's the same as a garage door raised to the height of a driver's head. That's a team failure, so there is a responsibility that certainly is not Maria's."

The two MR01 Marussia. (Photo: Marussia F1 Team)

Carlos Gracia said he doubts a situation with such a grave outcome would have occurred if de Villota was testing for a bigger team.

"I have asked (FIA president) Jean Todt to regulate and ensure minimum safety measures and to consider it for the next World Council. What is clear is that a top team, a Ferrari or McLaren, would have worked more seriously. These modest teams should improve their basic safety," he said.

Marussia race driver Timo Glock said at Hockenheim that his teammate is "recovering well" from her head and facial injuries, which involved an irreparably damaged right eye.

"The last thing I heard is that she is very stable, talking to her family and the doctors and on the road to recovery," said the German.

"Of course there is still a long way to go, but in the circumstances, she is doing very well," he is quoted by the SID news agency.

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has played down reports the calendar could be set to explode in 2013.

There have been rumours the F1 chief executive was open to expanding the schedule to no fewer than 26 races next season.

"Not next year," he told DAPD news agency. "There will be 20 again. No new races."

That doesn't bode well for New Jersey, which is scheduled to join the 2014 calendar.

For 2014, Russia is set to host a grand prix at Sochi, while Argentina is reportedly close to a deal.

"I hope we don't have to remove any existing races," said Ecclestone.

Circuit of Sochi, Russia.

From GMM

Mika Salo, a Ferrari driver in 1999, has tipped his former employer to drop Felipe Massa at the end of the season.

Speculation about the seat alongside Fernando Alonso remains rampant, despite Mark Webber signing a new deal for 2013 with Red Bull.

But at Hockenheim, Brazilian Massa insisted the news about the Australian is not significant.

"I'm sure not just Mark but a big number of drivers have been in touch, have called Ferrari," he said.

Felipe Massa, Ferrari F2012. (Photo: WRi2)

Felipe Massa said earlier that if he keeps up his current improved form, he can expect a new deal.

Finn Salo doesn't think so.

"Yes, I think they need a better number two to support Alonso," he told the MTV3 broadcaster. "It's hard to say who it could be. I would like to think it's a good opportunity for Heikki Kovalainen. Ferrari are saying Massa could stay next year, but I just don't believe it."

The Brazilian correspondent for O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper, journalist Livio Orrichio, said he has heard from "well-informed" Italian sources that if Massa does stay, he faces a EUR 4 million pay cut, to about 6 million in 2013.

Massa, 31, indicated he is very keen to keep his current job, even if it means sometimes moving over for Alonso.

Reminded about Hockenheim 2010, when he was instructed on the radio that 'Fernando is faster than you', Massa said on Thursday: "I can't say it was the most enjoyable weekend of my life. But I am a professional and if it happens again I will do anything to help my team and my teammate, the championship leader."

The Aventador LP 700-4 celebrated an important milestone today, as the 1,000th unit just rolled off the assembly line. The vehicle was purchased by Hans Scheidecker, a Bavarian architect who is passionate about Lamborghini's, and already owns a Diablo. Lamborghini CEO Stephen Winkelmann personally handed him the Aventador's keys.

Production at Lamborghini's Sant'Agata plant has increased considerably these past few years. By comparing Aventador and Murciélago production output, we find out that it took two years and five months for the Murcielago to hit the 1,000 mark attained in February 2004, while Aventador production numbers hit that same milestone in just one year and three months, for an average output of 4.5 cars per day.

Photo: Lamborghini