Auto News 5

The 51st Salão Internacional do Automóvel in the city of São Paulo opened on 22 October 2012. There were world premieres from Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Renault and Volkswagen.

The 51st Salão Internacional do Automóvel in the city of São Paulo opened on 22 October 2012. There were world premieres from Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Renault and Volkswagen.

Manufacturers continue to announce vehicle world premieres for the 51st Salão Internacional do Automóvel in the city of São Paulo. The motor show's press preview day is 23 October.

Manufacturers continue to announce vehicle world premieres for the 51st Salão Internacional do Automóvel in the city of São Paulo. The motor show's press preview day is 23 October.

Manufacturers continue to announce vehicle world premieres for the 51st Salão Internacional do Automóvel in the city of São Paulo. The motor show's press preview day is 23 October.

General Motors, Hyundai, Nissan and Toyota are the first four manufacturers to have announced vehicle world premieres for the 51st Salão Internacional do Automóvel in the city of São Paulo. The motor show's press preview day is 23 October.

General Motors, Hyundai and Toyota are the first three manufacturers to have announced vehicle world premieres for the 51st Salão Internacional do Automóvel in the city of São Paulo. The motor show's press preview day is 21 October.

General Motors and Hyundai are the first two manufacturers to have announced vehicle world premieres for the 51st Salão Internacional do Automóvel in the city of São Paulo. The motor show's press preview day is 21 October.

GM do Brasil is the first manufacturer to announce a vehicle world premiere for the 51st Salão Internacional do Automóvel. The press preview day is 21 October.

VW Group Chairman Ferdinand Piech said the company's sales in China will grow at least 9 percent in 2013 after expanding a projected 10 percent or more this year, as more consumers buy their first cars.

For General Motors Vice Chairman Steve Girsky, it's sink-or-swim time. As a GM director, he opposed the sale of the Opel unit in 2009.

For GM's Vice Chairman Steve Girsky, it's time to prove himself at Opel/Vauxhall.

The auto industry's weight watchers should have a field day with the redesigned Range Rover to be displayed this month at the Paris auto show.

Now that David Dauch has succeeded his father as CEO of American Axle and Manufacturing, he must reduce his dependence on GM, the customer that saved his company from bankruptcy three years ago. Dauch says he has a plan to do just that.

Toyota, roaring back after three years of recession, recalls and natural disasters, will struggle to regain its former dominance as it grapples with improved competition worldwide.

Opel/Vauxhall will enter its third new segment in less than a year when it launches the mid-size Cascada convertible in early 2013.

Audi cut BMW's lead in 2012 luxury-car sales to just 2,110 vehicles in August, threatening BMW's seven-year hold on the top position in premium auto deliveries.

Patrick Pelata, the longtime associate of Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn who stepped down as Renault's COO in 2011 after a botched corporate espionage investigation, has accepted a new job in the United States.

From GMM

The Spa-Monza double header may now be over, but the sound of formula one engines will soar again on Tuesday.

Ferrari, Mercedes and Force India are set to begin their three days of 'young driver' testing at the former French grand prix venue Magny Cours.

Jules Bianchi, Luiz Razia and Rodolfo Gonzalez will be driving for Force India, Sam Bird for Mercedes, and Frenchman Bianchi and Davide Rigon for Ferrari.

Photo: Ferrari

Championship leader Fernando Alonso said after finishing third at Monza that Ferrari has "a lot of new things" in the pipeline for the forthcoming Singapore grand prix.

"One of the priorities of the (Magny Cours) test," said team boss Stefano Domenicali, "will be to fine-tune the correlation between the simulator and the track".

VJM05, Sahara Force India. (Photo: WRi2)

According to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, Mercedes is also preparing a major development package and a "completely new rear" for its struggling W03 car.

"It (the new package) includes the so-called Coanda exhaust and new side pods," said the specialist publication.

The report added that the new package is the first real fruits of Mercedes' recent wind tunnel upgrade from 50 to 60 per cent.

The three member National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel upheld penalties imposed against the crew members of Paul Menard's #27 Chevrolet owned by Richard Childress Racing.

The six-week suspensions of Craig Smokstad (car chief) and Grant Hutchens (crew member) “will be effective immediately,” said the panel in a statement.

The penalties arose from a failure to pass a post (Michigan International Speedway) race inspection at Concord, N.C. when NASCAR said that the No. 27 team was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4K (race equipment that has been previously certified or previously approved by NASCAR for use in an event, pursuant to sub-section 8-12, has been altered, modified, repaired or changed in any manner. Intentionally modifying frame rails for the purpose of deceiving NASCAR's inspection gauges) of the 2012 NASCAR Rule Book.

Photo: NASCAR

The original penalties were - crew chief Slugger Labbe was fined $100,000, suspended from NASCAR until Oct. 3 and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Car chief Craig Smokstad was suspended from NASCAR until Oct. 3 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, while crew member Grant Hutchens was suspended from NASCAR until Oct. 3 and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Driver Paul Menard and owner Richard Childress have been penalized with the loss of 25 championship drivers' and owners' points, respectively.

RCR did not appeal the inspectors' findings. The appeal was limited to the suspensions of Smokstad and Hutchens only. Pending the outcome of the appeal the crew members' suspensions were held in abeyance which is why the suspensions started as of the result of the appeal.

Labbe began serving his suspension on September 4th.

“The Appellant has the right under Section 15 of the rule book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate Officer,” according to the statement from the Appeals Panel.