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As mentioned in a previous blog, it was an an utterly terrific Paris show first press day and there is much to share. So, here's some more news, highlights, thoughts and observations.

News 28 Sep, 2012

Steve Fowler on what the car makers' new bosses have in store for us

European supplier body, CLEPA, has hailed the UK's efforts to provide creative funding and training as a model for other markets to follow in straitened times.

GKN Driveline says it continues to see growth among European premium customers, despite conceding the Continent is undergoing increasing turmoil on its southern periphery.

Former CLEPA CEO, Lars Holmqvist, says he is "convinced" further details surrounding Saab's painful descent into bankruptcy will emerge as previous CEO, Victor Muller launches his EUR3bn lawsuit against General Motors.

News 28 Sep, 2012

Our road test editor picks his stars of the 2012 Paris Motor Show

UPDATE: Whoever you are, wherever you are, take a moment to think of Chris Economaki. Make it your personal tribute, however brief, to this grand old man of auto racing journalists because he left us late Thursday, Sept.

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne and Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn resolved a dispute that threatened to paralyze Europe's main car lobby group as the region's market sinks to a 17-year low.

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne and Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn resolved a dispute that threatened to paralyze Europe's main car lobby group as the region's market sinks to a 17-year low.

Fisker Automotive says it has completed the initial closing of its current equity financing, representing in excess of US$100 million of new funding.

Hyundai Mobis plans to establish new large-scale distribution centres in the US, China, Russia and Brazil over the next year.

Carmakers dealing with economic gloom and weak consumer appetite in the battered European market pointed toward inevitable cuts to plant capacity and labor costs at the Paris auto show, as hopes for a quick recovery appeared to recede.

Nissan has agreed to buy back two of the seven Leaf electric cars whose owners in Arizona have publicly raised concerns about aging batteries.

As fuel prices and environmental concerns reach an all-time high, automakers are striving to launch more efficient vehicles and technologies, including hybrids and electric cars. Transit companies are no different, as evidenced by the plug-in electric bus prototype that Nova Bus unveiled yesterday.

More importantly, it was entirely designed and produced in Quebec!

''The government of Quebec is developing a strategy to drive the manufacturing industry and we believe that one of the ways to succeed is to bank on clean energies,'' said Élaine Zakaïb, Minister for Industrial Policy and the Economic Development Bank of Quebec, who attended the launch.

Photo: Nova Bus

The Nova Bus electric bus prototype offers a range of 120 kilometres with a full charge of four hours - numbers that could improve as the project evolves. And thanks to the flexibility of the electric drive system, passenger room is maximized.

The goal of Consortium Bus électrique - Projet 1, which involves Nova Bus along with several key partners such as TM4, Bathium, Précicad, René Matériaux composites, and Giro, is to put a demo vehicle on the streets as early as 2014.

Photo: Nova Bus

Structures CPI, Infodev, and Styl&Tech, which are part of Consortium Bus Électrique - Projet 2, are currently working on an electric microbus entirely made of aluminum for suburban transit and touring.

In order to carry out these two projects, hundreds of employees from more than 35 companies across the province will participate.

Nova Bus is confident of delivering a 100% domestic, 100% electric mobility solution for Quebec's transit agencies in the short term.

DesignLine, based in the U.S., launched its own electric bus in 2007; however, it has yet to be certified by Transport Canada. Still, vehicles like these are one more step in the right direction.

Sources: Nova Bus

The Auto123.com team is delighted to announce that it will once again be competing in the Rallye international vert de Montréal, from September 28th through September 30th behind the wheel of a 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid.

Last year, Auto123.com teamed up with Porsche for the first time, piloting the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid and managed an 11th place finish after the weekend was up.

Photo: Philippe Champoux

The event, unique in North America, is part of the FIA's international Alternative Energies Cup, which has been held for the last six years in 10 countries on four continents.

Olivier Delorme and Emilie Asselin-Mercier (covering the event for Auto-Venus.com) will join forces and represent our team for the 600-km event where precision is key.

The Porsche Panamera S Hybrid will be up against some pretty stiff competition against the likes of the Toyota Prius Plug-in (as well as the Prius c), Lexus CT 200h -- both winners in the 2011 Rallye international vert de Montreal -- Mitsubishi i-MiEV and even propane-driven GMC Sierras and an F-150.

Registered vehicles will be split into several classes including hybrids, EVs, biofuel and diesel, as well as weight categories (car, SUV, truck, prototype, etc.).

Photo: Philippe Champoux

The event starts the evening of Friday, September 28th as companies like Add Energie, Hydro Quebec and Circuit Electrique host booths on McGill College in downtown Montreal. When the rally begins on September 29th, there will be three circuits per day, each approximately 60km in length, for the drivers to complete with strict restrictions and rules to follow. McGill College Avenue will serve as both the start and finish line throughout the weekend.

Throughout the weekend, Auto123.com will publish updates of the rally experience, and the results of the rally will be posted early next week. Stay tuned for the trials and tribulations of Olivier and Emelie as they embark on their Green Rally adventure, and follow them on Twitter throughout the weekend!

Émilie Asselin-Mercier: @autovenus

Olivier Delorme: @odelorme

A meeting of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) took place Friday September 29 in Paris and the 2013 calendar of the 2013 Formula 1 championship was approved.

In a press release, Jean Todt, the President of the FIA confirmed that positive and constructive discussions continue with regard to the new Concorde Agreement and it is anticipated a contract will be signed by the end of October.

Following a fax vote by the Technical Working Group, the 2013 Sporting and Technical Regulations were approved by the WMSC.

The 2013 FIA Formula 1 World Championship calendar is confirmed as follows:

17/03 AUS Grand Prix of Australia
24/03 MYS Grand Prix of Malaysia
14/04 CHN Grand Prix of China
21/04 BHR Grand Prix of Bahrain
12/05 ESP Grand Prix of Spain (Barcelona)
26/05 MCO Grand Prix of Monaco
09/06 CAN Grand Prix of Canada
16/06 USA Grand Prix of Jersey (New York) *
30/06 GBR Grand Prix of Great Britain
14/07 DEU Grand Prix of Germany
28/07 HUN Grand Prix of Hungary
25/08 BEL Grand Prix of Belgium
08/09 ITA Grand Prix of Italy
22/09 SGP Grand Prix of Singapore
06/10 KOR Grand Prix of Korea
13/10 JPN Grand Prix of Japan
27/10 IND Grand Prix of India
03/11 ARE Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi
17/11 USA Grand Prix of USA (Austin)
24/11 BRA Grand Prix of Brazil

* To Be Confirmed

Ten standard airbags and cool tech toys make the 2013 Chevrolet Trax safe and technologically up-to-date.

This new Chevy has car-ma sutra-like abilities. With eight different seating configurations to test out, there's a comfortable position to fit all your gear, and more...


With the success of the Cruze, Sonic and Spark, Chevrolet is hoping that the 2013 Trax will enjoy the same. Does it have the substance to do so? Only time will tell, but if the prototype vehicles that I took for a spin are any indication, they're on the right track. Or should I say, Trax?!

Making Trax worldwide
The 2013 Chevrolet Trax is a global car on multiple levels. It was designed and engineered as a collaborative effort, literally. North American, Korean and European teams were assigned to the project to make sure that the needs of local markets were being met -- it's expected be sold in 140 of them.

What does the tailoring process include? Well, adjustments to steering, the suspension and tires will all be relative to each market's location.

In Canada, we can expect both front-wheel and all-wheel drive models.
Regardless of which one you choose, they're all matched to Chevrolet's 1.4L, turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine and will have an output of 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission comes standard on the LS model, while the LT and LTZ models are matched with a 6-speed automatic.

Having only had the opportunity to test the automatic 2013 Chevrolet Trax, it's pretty darn good. And for braving the gridlock traffic known as “rush hour” in San Francisco, it's quite a blessing in disguise! Not to mention the hills that make up the city's geography. Luckily, the Trax won't leave you in a bind when stopped on a slant; it comes standard with Hill Start Assist (HSA).

Chevrolet plans to sell the Trax in 140 countries. (Photo: Alexandra Straub)

Size matters
This five-seater 2013 Chevrolet Trax is the smallest SUV that the North American automaker produces. And with people wanting large-vehicle functionality, but in a small package, the Trax offers that.

Using up all that large-vehicle space is not hard to do. There are storage bins galore inside, not to mention a cargo capacity of 1,370 litres, with the rear seats folded down. Additionally, the 2013 Trax has car-ma sutra-like abilities to fold its seats into different seating positions. There are eight in total, so should you want to use the 60/40 split configuration, or fold the front passenger's seat flat to fit a longer item, go for it! There are also storage spaces under the floor mats for whatever your heart desires.

Looking into the future
The 2013 Chevrolet Trax has yet to arrive in Canada, but looking inside its cabin and experiencing it firsthand is fairly impressive. Having tested both the LT and LTZ trims there's a commonality between them, and I'm not talking about the engine!

Over the last few years, GM has really upped the ante with their interior composition. Embracing the concept of “Surface Drama” -- that's the design philosophy implemented here -- I was impressed with the various tones and textures found throughout the cabin. They meshed well together and they looked good.

While the prototypes weren't 100% perfect when it came to fit and finish, I would expect that the production models will be when they start showing up on the streets.

What I liked about the interior of the 2013 Chevrolet Trax is the utilization of the twin cockpit theme, also embraced by the Sonic and Spark. There's the big instrument cluster in front of the driver, and to the right on the centre stack are the rest of the tech and climate goodies.

I was impressed with the various tones and textures found throughout the cabin. (Photo: Alexandra Straub)

Hey, check me out!
Throughout my drive route, I caught people checking out the 2013 Chevrolet Trax. Perhaps it's the bold lines, big wheels (you can get 18-inchers on the upper trims) or even the flashy chrome bits around the exterior that have fellow motorists inquisitive.

The front end features twin port openings bridged by the Chevy bowtie. Wheel arches are pushed out to the corners to add a little aggression to the mix. Furthermore, the front and rear silver-painted skid plates show off its SUV DNA.

And helping show of its sportier side, the five-spoke wheels are similar to that of the Camaro.

Drive time
It's a quiet and comfortable ride behind the wheel of the 2013 Chevrolet Trax. While I think its suspension needs a little more fine-tuning -- it was a little too soft for my liking -- I'm curious to see how the final product will feel. That doesn't mean it couldn't handle the curvy roads that garnish the Northern California topography (Lucas Valley Road, in particular) I just would have preferred a little less bounce in its step.

Price tag
Pricing has yet to be announced for the all new 2013 Chevrolet Trax.

From GMM

Martin Whitmarsh on Friday insisted McLaren did not push Lewis Hamilton away.

After the news arrived that the team's protege and 2008 world champion is switching to Mercedes, some said McLaren simply didn't offer the Briton enough money or good enough contractual terms.

"We made a financial offer which is better than anyone in formula one, other than himself, receives today," team boss Whitmarsh is quoted by Reuters. "I know we made a very, very big financial offer."

Whatever went wrong for Whitmarsh, who insists he is happy to pair youngster Sergio Perez with Jenson Button, it has also gone wrong for Michael Schumacher.

"We had a good time with Michael Schumacher," Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche told Welt newspaper, "however we did not achieve the goals that we set ourselves. That was the requirement for a contract extension."

Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm revealed that they let a summer option on his current Mercedes contract lapse.

Schumacher "would have been able to sign (for 2013) if he had wanted to earlier in the summer", she told the BBC.

Michael Schumacher. (Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team)

Now, Sauber appears the seven time world champion's only real option to keep racing.

"It's true I was at Sauber," said Sabine Kehm, responding to reports she met recently with Peter Sauber and Monisha Kaltenborn. "I have known them for years. But that doesn't mean anything more than I'm regularly there."

Willi Weber, Schumacher's former manager, doesn't know what went wrong.

"I saw him last at Monza, and he was full of energy and ambition, which convinced me completely that everything was in the bag with Mercedes," he told SID news agency.

Weber said he can imagine his former charge taking up a management or ambassadorial position with Mercedes now.

He would not advise Schumacher to take up Sauber's offer.

"No, and I have nothing against Sauber, but I do not think he wants to go from a global player to a private team," said Weber.

AIKEN, SC. -- Ever stop and think about what goes into making a tire? They require nothing more than some rubber, whatever belts are needed and some air - right? However, if it were that simple, Bridgestone would not have seven different plants across North America, technical centers, test facilities, and millions upon millions of square footage dedicated to rubber donuts.

In 15 years, Bridgestone has invested nearly $2.5 billion in South Carolina alone. The initial ground breaking for the passenger and light truck tire plant (PSR/LTR) took place in August of 1997. Today, this nearly 1,000-employee facility turns out 25,200 tires a day in sizes from 15” to 20”.

Photo: Bridgestone

Of all the tires Bridgestone assembles at the PSR, 35% make their way to retailers such as Costco or a Bridgestone dealer, while the other 65% find themselves as original equipment on brand new Hyundai, Toyota, GM and Ford cars. The end users are you and I, and Bridgestone refers to us as the boss. A novel idea. In the end, we are the ones buying the tires or the cars with the tires on them.

Each tire is the direct result of a combination of between 20 and 25 different compounds mixed in 4,000 hp mixers, followed by more than a dozen steps including a 10- to 26-minute curing period. It's all very impressive, including the fact that all tires go through manual inspections before they are stacked and delivered. Knowing full well that not all is perfect, Bridgestone admits that 1% of all the tires they produce don't pass the verification stage.

This is a story unto itself, but the reason Bridgestone brought us to Aiken was to tell us about the expansion currently taking place at the PSR plant. Work began a year ago and should be completed by early 2016.

At that time, tire production will rise to 37,750 units per day, and 1,295 people will be employed at the facility which is LEED certified.

Photo: Bridgestone

What impresses the most, possibly after the near 450,000 tires they currently have in storage (they can hold up to 650,000), is the fact that Bridgestone is putting people and the environment first.

This giant multinational company regularly contributes to the community through local sponsorships of events such as the Special Olympics and Relay for Life. They also award scholarships and allow groups to tour their facilities. In fact, they extend invitations to local students to tour the plants in the hopes of inspiring them and possibly getting them to work for the company one day.

The same can be said about inviting a number of journalists to tour their Aiken plants. They want to put out a message that they are more than just a tire company. They want to demonstrate that they are working to improve the environments in which they work. By having us on hand, we become part of the process as opposed to simply reporting on the final product. Another novel idea.

I must admit that this is a new situation for me. Having spent time in Akron, OH and now, Aiken, SC, I get the sense that Bridgestone may be a company to emulate. Here, sustainability, a balance with nature, and general well being are all important elements that, inevitably, lead to a prosperous business where everybody wins.

From press release

The Mercedes AMG team announces a three-year agreement with Lewis Hamilton, from the 2013 season.

Lewis is one of four drivers, along with Juan Manuel Fangio, Mika Häkkinen and Jenson Button, to have won the Formula One world championship with Mercedes-Benz power. With 20 Formula One victories, he is equal with Mika Häkkinen as the most successful Mercedes-Benz Formula One driver.

The recruitment of the 2008 world champion marks the start of a new chapter for the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. Lewis will replace Michael Schumacher, who has contributed significantly to the development of the Silver Arrows works team over the past three years.

Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) fighting at Monza in 2011 with Michael Schumacher (Mercedes). (Photo: WRi2)

In parallel, Mercedes-Benz has put in place the right technical structure and given the team in Brackley and Brixworth the tools it needs to achieve long-term, durable success in Formula One. In the near future, three-time world champion Niki Lauda will also bring his extensive experience to the role of non-executive chairman of the team's board of directors, further reinforcing the strength in depth at MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS.

Michael Schumacher
“I have had three nice years with the team which unfortunately did not go as well as we all would have wanted on the sporting side. I wish Lewis well and for the team to achieve the success we worked so hard for in the build-up. I would like to thank the team for their trust and all the guys for their unconditional commitment. I will now concentrate on the next races.”

Lewis Hamilton
“It is now time for me to take on a fresh challenge and I am very excited to begin a new chapter racing for the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. Mercedes-Benz has such an incredible heritage in motorsport, along with a passion for winning which I share.
“Together, we can grow and rise to this new challenge. I believe that I can help steer the Silver Arrows to the top and achieve our joint ambitions of winning the world championships.”

One podium until now for Michael Schumacher with Mercedes AMG. (Photo: WRi2)

Ross Brawn, Team Principal
"On behalf of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS, I would first of all like to thank Michael Schumacher for the important contribution he has made to the growth of our team over the past three seasons. His energy and commitment have never wavered, even when results have not matched our own expectations, and we are determined to finish the 2012 season together on a high. As always, it has been a pleasure to work with Michael. 

"Looking ahead to 2013, I am delighted to welcome Lewis Hamilton to our team. The arrival of a driver of Lewis' calibre is a testament to the standing of Mercedes-Benz in Formula One and I am proud that Lewis shares our vision and ambition for the success of the Silver Arrows."

Norbert Haug, Vice President Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
"Mercedes-Benz has supported Lewis throughout his career, from karting, to Formula 3, to our successful partnership with McLaren, and it will be a very nice moment for all of us in the team to see him at the wheel of a works Silver Arrow next season, following in the tradition of British Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix drivers Sir Stirling Moss and Richard Seaman.

"Of course, it takes a great driver to replace such a legendary and successful one as Michael Schumacher. Over the past three years, Michael has been a great driver and an exemplary ambassador for MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS. His experience has been an important factor in guiding the development of our team in Brackley and we extend our sincere thanks to Michael for his loyalty, team play and commitment. We will be working very hard together in order to achieve the best possible results in the remainder of the 2012 season."