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Mercedes-Benz and BMW will spend heavily in the next 18 months to sponsor and advertise during high-profile sporting events -- an increasingly important marketing tool as they battle for luxury sales leadership in the United States.

J Mays says his days as an egotistical artiste-car designer are ancient history. These days, Mays, 57, feels vindicated because the 2013 Ford Fusion was a smash at the Detroit auto show, winning best-in-show raves from many critics.

General Motors plans a luxury trim level for its next-generation Chevrolet Silverado pickup, its answer to the leather-swathed top offerings of its rivals.

Lincoln is radically revising the way it pays dealers as it seeks to reassert itself in the premium segment.

Many consumers who are finally ready to buy a new vehicle after waiting out the recession are up for grabs.

The futuristic TeRRA SUV concept that Nissan Motor Co. will show Paris auto show visitors this week may never get to a dealer showroom.

With some clever advertising on Google, Subaru used interest in a top competitor, the Honda CR-V, to reduce summer inventory of aging Forester crossovers.

Volkswagen's minimalist styling is the look of the future because the fad for flamboyant "overdesign" is finished, says Walter de' Silva, VW's global design chief.

Auto123.com is proud to present yet another column from Canadian driver Bruno Spengler, works driver for BMW in the DTM series , featuring his thoughts on his latest victory.

Hello all!

It's a pleasure to share my thoughts with you, as we approach the end of the 2012 DTM season.

The most recent round mirrored our season, as we at BMW were discovering at Oschersleben a new track for the third consecutive time.

Photo: dtm.com

For us at BMW, that means racing with no prior data. This being said, at the Nürburgring, we earned pole and victory on an unknown track. To be fair, the same approach didn't go down so well at Zandvoort the week after.

Anyhow, at Oschersleben we hit the ground running, our development work eased by consistent weather. It's always better to work set-ups when the track is dry. On the results front, my teammate Dirk Werner proved us right, posting the fastest lap during the first free practice session. I took over from him Saturday morning.

Things were still going well in qualifying where I managed to pull a perfect lap to put my BMW M3 on pole. Similar story Sunday, where I grabbed my third win of the season, also the third for my team.

It was Bruno Spengler's birthday on August 23. (Photo: BMW)

This means we are well within the fight for the title, which is hard to believe when you think this is our first season. Still, it's not time to celebrate yet, so everyone's focus is at 110 % until the final checkered drops at Hockenheim.

Being where we are shows just how well the team can adapt. It's a great motivational boost for the guys behind me who prepare the car, work the strategy and execute the pit stops. Now we really must take it one race at a time - first Valencia, then Hockenheim - and not think too much about the title.

I'm really happy to be in the title hunt for BMW. In my DTM career, I've been in such a position five times out of seven. It's great for the fans, and great for the brand.

By the way, last week, I took part in a historic rally, the Klassik Hambourg-Berlin, at the wheel of a 1939 BMW 328. My co-driver Ulrich Knieps managed to finish 6th out of 300!

Bruno Spengler and the famous 1939 BMW 328. ( Photo: Bruno Spengler)

Other than that, these days, I also participate in driver education days, where I teach track-driving aboard a 3-series BMW. At the end of the day, my students get to experience the circuit aboard a Formula BMW.

But right now, I'm stationed in Munich at the team's headquarters where I can enjoy the legendary Oktober Fest, very popular here in Germany. BMW takes the opportunity to organize several PR events, and I get to drink lots of beer!

Then, on Thursday, I fly home and then it's Valencia a week later.

Photo: dtm.com

It's a track we know a at least a little since we tested there before the start of the season. Still, a track is always evolving so it's never twice the same. Unlike Mercedes and Audi, we're not used to dealing with the changing conditions. But that's not saying we don't stand a chance to beat them!

I should know more Sunday night!

All the best,

Bruno Spengler

www.brunospengler.com

Note: As two rounds remain, Bruno Spengler sits second in the championship standings, only 11 points adrift current leader Gary Paffett (Mercedes). A victory in the DTM series is worth 25 points.

After a series of ratification meetings Saturday and Sunday in Hamilton, Windsor and Brampton, Ontario, workers at Ford Motor Company of Canada have approved a new collective agreement by 82%.

Here's the breakdown by classification:

Production - 81%
Skilled Trades - 87%
Office - 100%

Workers won't see their annual wage increase for the duration of the agreement. However, the company has committed to creating more than 600 jobs in the country.

"This new agreement will ensure that our facilities are well-positioned for a strong future in the North American auto industry." said CAW president Ken Lewenza.

GM workers are scheduled to vote this week on their own tentative agreement, while talks between Chrysler and the CAW are still underway.

Source: caw.ca

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport First Impressions

2012 BMW M5 Review

2012 Buick Verano Review

Other very interesting topics:

• 2013 Range Rover preview
• Blog: Why driving an Audi Q5 in Germany has its perks
• Top 2012 winter tires
• Ford announces Canadian pricing for the 2013 Fusion
• 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR review

AIKEN, SC. -- Bridgestone is a tire company. A big tire company. So big, in fact, that they build and sell just about every type of tire for self-propelled vehicles on this big green earth. Even those used for them giant dump trucks we see on the Discovery Channel.

These tires are big bucks, and so require big bucks. It's no surprise then that some of the largest consumers of these goods are mining companies, including Suncor Energy and Canadian Natural. If you've not heard of these two companies, they are the ones exploiting Canada's oil sands in the North. These oil sands give Canada the title of the third largest oil reserve in the World. Yay, us!

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre

The ever increasing demand for oil brings with it an increase in demand for large rubber, which in turn explains why Bridgestone -- soon to be bar none the most important provider in Off-Road Radial tires (ORR) -- is establishing its first ever ORR tire plant outside of Japan.

This impressive facility is only in its infancy, but it is huge. It represents a $900 million investment from Bridgestone, which includes 545 acres of land across the road from their own Passenger/Light Truck (PSR/LTR) plant.

Although the operations set to take place here will be very industrial, it's the environment in which it will all take place that is especially noteworthy. Get this: Bridgestone will invest lots of money into restoring a local ecosystem that has all but been destroyed by humans on 400 of their 545 acres.

On those 400 acres, Bridgestone people are already hard at work planting the native Longleaf pine which has all but disappeared in the last 150 years. So far, they've planted 14,250 trees on 34 acres and will plant a further 15,100 trees this winter on 36 more acres. You read that right: A big industrial company like Bridgestone is planting trees.

But that's not all. On this site, and the one on the other side of the Bettis Academy Rd, Bridgestone will develop wildflower meadows, wetlands and set up a series of nature trails throughout the entire property. The area is home to beaver ponds, Canadian geese, wood ducks, turtles, the rare fox squirrel, and the blue bird. For this last creature, Bridgestone put together a program to build blue bird boxes to help increase this bird's numbers.

Photo: Bridgestone

Are you as dumbfounded as I am?

Wait, there's even more. Bridgestone has some lofty environmental goals that it wants to achieve by 2020 through its three objectives which include: 1) In Harmony with nature; 2) Value natural resources; and 3) Reduce CO2 emissions.

Bridgestone uses the following line as one of their mantras: “It's not just what we make that counts. How we make it matters.”

It is clear to me that Bridgestone is a highly environmentally conscientious company. It is heartwarming to see a big business spend large sums of its money on the greater good. They even donated 10,000 acres of land to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources for public access. It's amazing.

As well, they strive to achieve the highest environmental standards for their buildings. The two Bridgestone Americas tire plants, the new Americas Technical Center in Akron, Ohio, and a retail store in Tennessee are all LEED certified. The new ORR manufacturing facility is also being built to LEED specifications. These are the first tire plants in the world to earn LEED certification.

Could Bridgestone be the good guys in the tire industry? I'll let you decide.

Are you sick and tired of wasting fuel and your precious time at red lights? Make SignalGuru your new friend!

Developed by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), this innovative app helps drivers avoid red lights and reduce their fuel consumption by up to 20%, says Emmanouil Koukoumidis, one of the scientists behind the system.

How? When approaching an intersection, the camera on a driver's dashboard-mounted smartphone is activated, detecting when a light shifts from red to green and vice versa. Using this information, the app determines the speed that should be driven to avoid stopping at a red light.

Successful tests have already been conducted across Massachusetts, and the system's accuracy and effectiveness could increase as more users share traffic data.

Source: Reuters

This November, visitors at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show will get to see the production version of the all-new 2014 Acura RLX. Unveiled in concept form at the New York Auto Show earlier this year, the full-size sedan aims to make more waves than its predecessor, the Acura RL.

The 2014 RLX will pose a serious threat to other luxury sedans with sophisticated interior fit and finish, cutting-edge audio and navigation systems as well as the next-generation AcuraLink communication service, which is similar to GM's OnStar.

It will be the first-ever Acura to use the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) system. A direct-injected 3.5L V6 engine will team up with three electric motors to boost output to 370 horsepower.

Acura will launch the new RLX in Canada in the spring of 2013.

Photo: Acura

Here's the all-electric Toyota iQ EV that will make its debut at the 2012 Paris Auto Show (September 29-October 14). Based on the regular iQ, the model is 13.5 cm longer at 3.15 m, and 125 kg heavier with a total weight of 1,055 kg.

A 12 kWh battery feeds the 47 kWh (64 hp) electric motor, allowing 0-100km/h acceleration in 14 seconds and a top speed of 125 km/h, which is fast enough for city driving. With a range of about 85 km, the Toyota iQ EV won't spend much time on the highway.

A full charge through a 240V outlet will take three hours, although using a quick charger can restore 80% percent of battery power in just 15 minutes.

While the iQ EV is currently sold in Japan (no word yet on other possible markets), Toyota has made it clear that plug-in hybrids will play a bigger role than all-electric vehicles in its short- and medium-term strategy.

Source: AutoGuide.com

Toyota iQ EV (Photo: toyota)

The Japanese automaker has announced a new series of Fit models for 2013 including the Fit (Jazz), City and a small SUV. All three will have unique characteristics in their respective markets.

Honda has also confirmed that two new assembly plants will produce compact vehicles: one in Yorii, Japan, and another in Mexico, which will become operational in the spring of 2014. The Fit-based SUV will come from the latter.

Look for more details in the next few weeks.

Rob Huff (Chevrolet)is now tied with teammate Yvan Muller in the WTCC point standings after Sonoma, after the Frenchman got a drive through penalty in race 2.

Muller got a 25-point lead after his victory in Race 1 in California. But Huff, who secured second position in the first race, inherited the lead and victory in the second race when race leader Muller received a drive through penalty following a contact with Franz Engstler's BMW, who spun off off the track while running in first position.

Franz Engstler (BMW) out, after Yvan Muller (Chevrolet) touched him. (Photo: FIA WTCC)

Rob Huff took victory as Muller dropped down to 16th, and out of the points zone. Both Chevy drivers are now tied in first place with six races remaining in the three last meetings to run in Suzuka, Shanghai and Macau.

Alain Menu, the third Chevrolet driver, was forced to retire in Race 1 in Sonoma, and is now far behind his teammates in the standings.

Yvan Muller was very disapointed after the incident that cost him a lot of points.

"It's always the same," he told Auto123.com.

"I don't say that I don't deserve this penalty, but looking back at what happened on track this weekend, and the past races this season, a lot of drivers had to be penalised. That was the same in Slovakia, where I was also penalised for a similar incident. Instead of being first in standingswith a margin of 30 points, we are now tied in classification. I gave them the opportunity to penalise me, I should have been more careful. That's the way it is, we now have to look forward to the remaining races of the year..."

From GMM

Hockenheim is ready to step in at short notice, should the Nurburgring be unable to organise next year's German grand prix.

The Nurburgring has been given only a conditional date on the draft 2013 schedule, due to the circuit's well-documented financial problems.

According to the alternating scheme in place between Germany's two grand prix hosts, Hockenheim - having hosted this year's race in the country - is not officially scheduled to return to the calendar until 2014.

Nurburgring track, aerial view.

But with the Nurburgring grappling with its financial problems, Hockenheim chief Georg Seiler said he is open to thinking about a 2013 event "in the right financial conditions".

"At the moment, we wait," he is quoted by the DAPD news agency. "Should there be a request, we would consider it."

Seiler said he hopes the Nurburgring's race can survive.

"It would be a real shame for them, in their difficult situation, to lose the grand prix," he nobly said.

Canadian Ferrari Driver Academy member, Canadian Lance Stroll enjoyed a nearly perfect weekend at the World Cup KF3 at Zuera in Spain, part of the CIK-FIA series.

Spaniard Guillermo Russo (FA Kart-Vortex)won the Prefinal, thus taking pole position for the Final ahead of the Russian Nikita Sitnikov (Tony Kart-BMB), the Canadian Lance Stroll (Zanardi-Parilla).

After three laps, spectators could no longer tell who was in the lead after numerous overtaking manoeuvres.

Lance Stroll, Zanardi-Parilla (Photo: KSP/CIK FIA)

Luca Corberi captured victory while Stroll was one of the victims of the attacks of Sitnikov which caused the latter to receive the penalty relegating him to 11th position behind Stroll. Poleman Russo was also involved in the accident, and lost several places.

Director of the Ferrari Driver Adademy, Luca Baldisserri confirmed. “Karting is without a doubt the training ground for race drivers of the future and even if he did not win the final, Stroll proved he has plenty of talent which will no doubt see him achieve great things in the future.”

From GMM

He didn't even score a point, but Timo Glock's performance in Singapore on Sunday could be worth as much as EUR 10 million.

The experienced German finished twelfth, which betters Caterham's best 2012 finish of 13th place at Monaco.

Marussia therefore leapfrogs its green-coloured rival to take the all-important tenth place in the constructors' world championship with six races still to go.

"We do of course need to hold on until the end of the season and I hope we can," said Timo Glock. "Over the last four months we have really closed the gap to Caterham and this is a very nice reward to everyone in the team because it has not been easy."

Photo: Marussia F1 Team

The 30-year-old told Bild newspaper: "This twelfth place is worth ten million euros at the moment!"

He is referring to the confidential Concorde Agreement, under which the sport's top ten teams share a lucrative prize pool.

Bild said Marussia's total budget for 2012 is only about EUR 40 million.

Timo Glock, meanwhile, said he is staying put for now.

"I have a contract (with Marussia) until 2014," he revealed.