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Magna International reported a 24-percent jump in quarterly profit and said it was buying the controlling minority stake in its electric car business.

The day when self-driven cars dominate the road, a longtime science-fiction fantasy, may not be far off, a new report says.

It's no secret that I've never been what you'd call a true fan of the North American pickup. Oh sure, they have their playtime uses, such as carrying dirt bikes, ATVs and the like, but in my opinion, other than being a work tool they border on the pretty much useless.

You see, coming from Europe where we would rather park up the dirty old workhorse in the evening and hop into a smart little hot hatch, I have a little difficulty fathoming why anyone would choose to spend 24 hours a day piloting a work truck.

Whereas we Europeans believe in making life simpler for ourselves by creating large rear beds with drop-down sides and tailgates and often tipper facilities, you crazy North Americans seem to enjoy loading everything from the rear end. By the time you've completed your loading, I've already delivered mine and I'm well into my second cup of tea.

Photo: Kevin Corrigan

We then come to my biggest bugbear of all, that of engine sizing. Why are nearly all North American pickup trucks powered by honking great V8s when most Euro-trucks manage quite comfortably with a small 4-cylinder unit or a diesel lump? What's that, you may one day wish to haul a trailer? Well, perhaps you wouldn't need to if you owned a vehicle with a truck bed slightly larger than the business end of a station wagon.

Still, even I have to admit that these trucks do have a certain Cool Joe factor, and none come much cooler than the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor I recently drove. Yes, in a week, its 6.2L V8 raped my wallet to the tune of a months' worth of pocket money, but for those few short days, I was King of the Hill and Master of all.

However, I'm still trying to fathom the actual reasoning behind this product. Yes it's big (and big is beautiful here), and it's extremely capable off-road, but so is a farm tractor and those things run on subsidized diesel, or even chip fat. The Raptor, on the other hand, drinks fuel like a vampire sucking the very blood from your veins. So what is the point?

Well, I'm hoping that this is simply a styling process to test consumers for future products. I hope I'm right on this as the Raptor's design would be perfect for the next revamp of the F-150. It's in-your-face, brutishly handsome, and perhaps even capable of bringing an old sceptic like me on line. If they truly wanted to turn me, they should offer a 2WD version with a 2.0L EcoBoost under the hood. After all, it would supply roughly the same power as a V6.

So come on Ford, I've made up the game plan for you. I simply want a Full-size diesel Transit drop-sided tipper for work, a fuel-efficient Raptor for playtime, and while you're at it, let's throw in an EcoBoost Mustang convertible for those warm summer nights.

From GMM

Martin Whitmarsh has revealed he is not surprised to hear about 2014 engine supplier Pure's problems.

The McLaren boss and current FOTA chairman said he expects there to be just three engine manufacturers - Mercedes, Renault and Ferrari - supplying turbo V6 engines in 2014.

There had already been doubts in the paddock that HRT and Marussia's V8 supplier, the British independent Cosworth, may not be in a position to supply engines in 2014 as per the radical new regulations.

And it emerged recently that Pure, the 2014 engine supplier set up by BAR founder Craig Pollock, has paused its operations for financial reasons.

The Renault engine inside the Red Bull RB8. (Photo: WRi2)

Whitmarsh told Germany's motorsport-total.com that it was "foreseeable".

"For me it's no big surprise," he said, referring to Pure.

But even though F1 looks set to be left with just three engine suppliers for its 12 teams, Whitmarsh insisted: "As far as I know, Renault is willing to supply up to seven teams."

And he said Ferrari and Mercedes may also be willing to increase their number of customers.

So Whitmarsh explained that, assuming all 12 teams enter the 2014 championship, there will be a "solution" in the event that are only three engine suppliers.

One solution, he said, is that V8 engines be still allowed on the 2014 grid, so long as their performance is made equal to the V6s.

"That would be feasible," admitted Whitmarsh, "(although) personally I don't think it's an attractive solution."

After being closed for approximately 1 year, General Motors' Spring Hill Manufacturing plant near Nashville, Tenesse is finally opening its doors. After a $460 million investment that saw the removal of nearly 250 million pounds of materials (which were then washed, recycled and donated for construction projects in the surrounding areas), the plant is ready to begin production again.

The GM Spring Hill plant will be responsible for producing the all new Ecotec 4-cylinder engine, and will be one of the most technologically advanced engine manufacturing facility in the world. The plant is expected to create 450 jobs.

The first engine to be manufactured at the Spring Hill facility will be the 2.5L engine set to debut in the brand new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu.

Photo: Chevrolet

From GMM

Sebastien Buemi is confident he can return to the formula one grid in 2013.

After being dropped by Red Bull's driver development team Toro Rosso, the 23-year-old Swiss was signed for 2012 by the energy drink's premier championship winning team as its official reserve.

"It's good," Buemi told the German language Swiss newspaper 20 Minuten. "Red Bull is the number one team in formula one and I have a foot in the door. This is important if I want to return to the grid next year."

As to how his search for a 2013 race cockpit is going, Buemi insisted he has "options".

"I can't tell you any more before the ink is dry on a contract," he said. "But I can say that it looks good at the moment."

Sebastien Buemi, Toyota driver in 2012. (Photo: Toyota)

Sebastien Buemi categorically ruled out switching to F1's struggling backmarkers Marussia or HRT.

Asked if he would trade his spot on the reserve bench for a seat at one of those small teams, Buemi insisted: "No, I would not. Of course I want to race again, but those teams are just too far away from the others. You're not in the right race if after 15 laps you're trying not to be in people's way."

Asked if that means he is in talks with a 'serious, competitive team' for 2013, Buemi answered clearly: "Yes."

Naturally, he would not be on the market at all if Red Bull had kept its 2012 lineup instead of opting for newcomers Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.

Asked about that, Buemi answered: "Currently it's not going too well for Toro Rosso, they've got less points than they did in 2011, but I'm not thinking about it. The Toro Rosso chapter is over for me and in the past."

He said he will not be echoing his former teammate Jaime Alguersuari's much harsher criticism in the wake of the Toro Rosso driver clean-sweep.

"I'm grateful to Red Bull," insisted Buemi, "they've helped me a lot. I don't want to talk about how it ended with Toro Rosso. It is what it is -- I can't change it."

The versatile Toyota Matrix is back for the 2013 model year with some changes to the option packages on all trim levels.

The base Matrix's optional Convenience package now includes the sound system upgrade with six speakers, a USB port and Bluetooth phone connectivity that was previously offered in the more expensive S package.

The sporty Matrix XRS now gets a cargo mat and a stereo upgrade with a 6.1” display, a USB port as well as Bluetooth phone and streaming audio connectivity.

As for the Matrix AWD, it's now equipped with leather-wrapped wheel and shift knob as well as the XRS' sound system upgrade.

The 2013 Toyota Matrix will be on sale next week, with a base price of $16,795 before taxes, freight and delivery charges.

It never ends! In fact, I hope it'll never end! Free material like this is golden, and we've practically made it a mission of ours to collect pictures of these parking-lot superheroes.

The opportunities to capture images of graduates from my School for the Parking Challenged are never-ending. One quick trip south of the border put my picture stocks over the top; I had no idea my influence was international...

This has become a fun topic for us at the office where, almost every day, we share parking stories and/or pictures.

This gallery therefore contains not only my pictures but some from a highly involved coworker. I've got more but they'll have to wait for the next installement. 

Enjoy!

Photo: Olivier Delorme

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre

Continue reading Top 20 Parking Jobs of Summer 2012

The popular Toyota Corolla enters the 2013 model year with a few option package changes. The most notable addition is the availability of a power sunroof on the base Corolla CE, which Toyota claims is the lowest-priced compact car with a sunroof.

The Corolla S now includes a sound system with a 6.1” display. It also bundles a USB port, six speakers as well as Bluetooth phone and streaming audio connectivity. The optional Moonroof package, which includes automatic headlights and climate control, adds an intelligent key system. The new Technology and Leather package also equips the Corolla S with leather upholstery, heated front seats, navigation and satellite radio.

As for the Corolla LE, it also gets the new stereo with 6.1” display. Its Upgrade package adds a power driver's seat in addition to an intelligent key, automatic headlights and climate control, while its Premium package includes navigation, satellite radio, a leather-wrapped wheel and woodgrain trim.

The sporty Corolla XRS and its larger, 2.4L engine is no longer offered.

The 2013 Toyota Corolla is now on sale, starting from $15,450.

Jay Penske and his brother Mark were arrested on Thursday morning in connection with an alleged break-in at a property at the Nantucket Yacht Club in Nantucket, Massachusetts.

According to Jason Graziadei of the Inquirer and Mirror, Jay Penske, 33, and Mark Penske, 35, Roger Penske's sons were arrested shortly before 2 in the morning.

Jay Penske is the owner of the IZOD IndyCar Dragon Racing team that runs Sebastien Bourdais and Katherine Legge.

Jay Penske. (Photo: LAT for IndyCar)

The police were originally called to the scene to investigate after two women claimed they had been assaulted in the yacht club parking lot.

A police report cited by the newspaper states that the incident was initially reported as an assault and battery, although the women are said to have since told police that they do not wish continue with those charges.

The two Penske brothers spent the night in the Nantucket lockup facility and were arraigned Thursday morning, charged with breaking and entering with the intent to commit a misdemeanor.

The F-Type is the most anticipated volume production Jaguar since the world first laid eyes on the X150 concept in 2005. We got a taste of what is to come at this past June's Goodwood festival of speed where a camouflaged prototype ripped up the drive.

This is a significant car for the car company from Coventry. It marks the return of a Jaguar in the sports car category.

Compared to the prestigious XK, the F-Type will be more affordable and likely a blast to drive. Insuring that this will be true will be three gasoline engines. Two states of tune of Jaguar's all-new 3.0-liter supercharged V6 (340 hp and 380 hp) and a detuned versions the current supercharged 5.0-liter V8 will be offered. Expect them to sound like hell braking loose as well.

Standard fare will include an eight-speed transmission and Stop/Start technology.

The superb F-Type will see the light of day at its global debut at the Paris Motor Show on September 27, 2012.

From GMM

Rarely do the worlds of formula one and the Olympics collide.

But casual viewers of the prestigious equestrian dressage event could hardly believe their ears when a commentator said a German competitor was riding in London "her lovely stallion (called) Damon Hill".

And while a little piece of F1 trotted and pranced for gold, a little piece of the 2008 Beijing games can now be found in the McLaren garage.

Olympic silver medallist Tom Stallard is Jenson Button's performance engineer.

Four years ago, he was among the world's elite 'men's eight' rowers.

"I'd always wanted to be in formula one," he said. "I did a motor sports-focused course at university and did some work experience in the sport. I basically joined the team straight after the 2008 Olympics."

McLaren's garage during a Grand Prix weekend. (Photo: McLaren)

And just so the story goes full circle, the most famous rower ever to grace a formula one paddock was Graham Hill -- former world champion Damon Hill's father.

Before he got serious about racing, two-time title winner Hill competed for the prestigious London Rowing Club, adopting its distinctive navy and white colours for his F1 helmet.

"The self discipline required for rowing and the 'never say die' attitude obviously helped me through the difficult years that lay ahead," 1962 and 1968 world champion Hill wrote in his 1969 autobiography, Life At The Limit.

Son Damon Hill raced the same London rowing colours to the 1996 title.

Former Formula 1 driver and CART series' champion Alex Zanardi will make his Paralympic debut in a few weeks at the London Games.

In September 2001, Zanardi, racing in the CART series lost both his legs in a terrible race crash at the Lausitzring oval in Germany. Zanardi's car was t-boned at 200 mph by another car after spinning out of control while coming back on the race track.

But having designed his own prosthetic legs, the likeable Italian made a successful return to motorsport in the World Touring Car Championship before turning to wheelchair sport, and has now qualified for the Paralympics as a hand cyclist.

Training really hard, Zanardi won the 2011 New York handcycle marathon.

“The fact that I've been able not only to turn a misfortune into an opportunity, but to turn it into a great opportunity,” said Zanardi during an interview at SPEED Center.

“I wouldn't do what I am doing if I didn't love it. The fact that I'm loving paracycling, what I am doing today, the fact that I've been able to qualify and represent my nation in the next Olympic games is something I will forever tell my friends,” the Italian declared.

Williams Formula 1 driver Pastor Madonado and GP2 series' competitor Rodolfo Gonzalez are currently in their native Venezuela in an effort to promote motorsport.

Both drivers are sponsored by PDVSA, Petróleos de Venezuela S.A., the national petroleum company.

Pastor Maldonado (Photo: Williams Twitter)

Williams F1 enjoys tremendous support in Venezuela, not least because of Maldonado whose win at the Spanish Grand Prix this season has seen him become a national icon in his home country.

Pastor will be joined by Team Principal Sir Frank Williams for a series of exciting events in the country's capital, Caracus, including Pastor driving his Formula One car around the capital city's most renowned national monument, Los Proceres.

Rodolfo Gonzalez (Photo: Juan Eduardo Reina)

Enter Auto123.com's latest contest, and you'll have a chance to win a $500 Petro-Canada gas card!

To participate, visit Auto123.com's Facebook page.

Hurry up! The contest ends August 31st, 2012!

Quebec driver Andrew Ranger, a two-time NASCAR Canadian Tire series' champion intends to shine in the two categories he will be competing in during the NAPA Auto Parts 200 held in Montreal next weekend.

Ranger captured a brillant win last weekend at the Juliawine.com 100 of the Canadian Tire series at the Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres.

“That was a welcomed boost! Because honestly the first half of the season had its share of ups and downs,” Ranger told Auto123.com.

Photo: Getty Images/NASCAR

“We made a lot of changes to the car, because the Edmonton race was a real downer. I was running in third place when I completely lost the brakes. They overheated and at one point I had no choice but to put the car into a spin to slow down! It was a major failure. I eventuelly finished seventh but we lost a great deal of championship points that day. We had to do something. So the team worked really hard to make the changes. And the brakes worked perfectly on Trois-Rivieres street course. And that's encouraging for Montreal,” Ranger explained.

The Gilles Villeneuve circuit is really hard on the brakes. “In fact, this track is extremely hard on every component of the car: engine, brakes, transmission, suspensions. It's like an endurance race. One year, the race lasted four hours and a half! That's an eternity!” Ranger added.

Psychologically, the young Quebecer is in a much stronger position than last year. “I have a new agent in Steve Meehan. Steve is the owner of the GC Motorsport International - a team that races in the NASCAR Nationwide series. He took me under his wing,” Ranger continued.

Andrew Ranger, winner at Trois-Rivieres. (Photo: Yanick Gougeon)

“At the NAPA Auto Poarts 200 in Montreal, I will race in the two series. I'm going to have little time to breathe as I have to drive two different cars as well as do the media and public appearances. I'm going to be pretty busy!” he added.

Will the Quebecer push harder in one series in comparison to the other? “No. I am currently second in the standinsg of the Canadian Tire series and I know I can clinch a third title. But on the other hand, I would also like to become the first Quebecer to win the Nationaide race! I have the right car to do it. My goal is to run withtin the top five all race long and to give it all during the last laps of the race,” Ranger ended.

Magna International reported a 24-percent jump in quarterly profit on Thursday and said it was buying the controlling, minority stake in its electric car business.

A123 Systems' CEO said the company's financial rescue by China's largest auto-parts maker will preserve U.S. jobs, after the agreement drew criticism from a member of Congress.

The best thing about Detroitand#8212;besides our stellar sports teams and sparkling reputationand#8212;is that the car industry lives here. In addition to the Detroit Three, nearly every maker has a presence in the Motor City.

2012 Fiat 500 Sport - Cuteness Prevails

A niche car, like the Fiat 500, doesn't have a lot of candidates for simple and straightforward comparisons.

A niche car, like the Fiat 500, doesn't have a lot of candidates for simple and straightforward comparisons. You can stretch to compare it to a car that's a little bigger or more expensive, or you can look at it next to some cars you'd usually skip, such as the Fiat's stable mate, the 500C.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Fiat 500 Sport - Four Seasons Update - July 2012 - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Fiat 500 Sport - Four Seasons Update - July 2012 - Automobile Magazine

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