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On Tuesday, Toyota's Georgetown, KY assembly plant celebrated the start of production for the all-new 2013 Avalon as well as the Japanese automaker's 25 millionth vehicle manufactured in North America. The milestone model was a silver Avalon Hybrid.

"Toyota's 25 millionth vehicle signifies the tireless work of thousands of Toyota team members, hundreds of North American supplier partners, and great dealers giving their best every day," said Steve St. Angelo, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. "We continue to evolve as a company thanks to their commitment to build the best vehicles in the market."

This marks a pivotal time in Toyota's 26-year history in North America, highlighted by a direct investment of nearly $24 billion and the creation of 365,000 jobs in the U.S. alone.

The Georgetown assembly plant employs approximately 6,600 people and builds the Camry, Camry Hybrid, Avalon and Venza, as well as 4- and 6-cylinder engines.

A day at the track is probably one of my favourite types of days at the "office." A day like this is usually significantly enhanced by some over-the-top fun vehicles to drive, and the company of my colleagues.

The vehicles available at a recent event I attended at the Driver Development Track (DDT) at Mosport just happened to be MINI Cooper John Cooper Works (JCW) cars. And they are a hoot to be behind the wheel of.

Photo: Brian Makse

There are currently 5 JCW MINI models on the market. There's the original hatchback, the Clubman (with three doors), the convertible, and the recently launched coupe and roadster. Each of these JCW models has 208 horsepower under the hood and a 6-speed manual transmission. They feel like little go-karts taking on the turns, with the added benefit of airbags and traction control.

All of that is definitely a recipe for a good time.

I don't think I could ever tire of being on a closed circuit with professional instructors. Why? Because there is always something to learn. Regardless of how many -- or few -- times I get to go around, there are techniques to be built upon and skills to hone. Think about any kind of racing: Drivers never feel like they've taken enough laps or feel they could have done even better if they just had some more time or set up the corner a little more efficiently.

That's the beauty of the track: It's a closed course, and a controlled environment. If you screw up (knock on wood), you'll usually be in far less trouble than out on the open road. There's no oncoming traffic, nor are there pedestrians. While I know some women are apprehensive to participate in a track day, I assure you it's not as scary as you think.

There can be a slight intimidation factor, especially if you're a first-timer, but keep in mind that everyone is there to learn. Furthermore, a good track day with a good instructor will give you lots of guidance and help you feel at ease -- or at least you should try to feel at ease! Speeds generally increase throughout the day, not because instructors want to push and push, but because you will feel more comfortable and willing to take a little more risk as the day progresses.

Trust me, it's an amazing feeling when you have a great lap and say to yourself: "Wow! I just did that? That's pretty awesome."

Another component to track days, other than great cars, is the company.

A good friend of mine, Brian Makse, is a championship-winning racer. He's also an auto journalist and we like to pair up when we're on these kinds of events. When I'm not concentrating on the proper line I'm supposed to take, we're laughing our heads off or making silly jokes. On press events, we are always partnered up; that's why there are two people in a car. Safety in numbers, right?!

Learning is supposed to be fun, and it is. That further adds to the dynamic of a track day.

This blog was originally published on Auto-Venus.com.

From GMM

With one short sentence, Fernando Alonso defended the great Michael Schumacher, criticised Mercedes' performance, praised Sauber's 2012 car, and slated the Swiss team's current driver lineup.

"I am sure Michael would have won three races this year for Sauber," the Ferrari driver is quoted by the German-language T-Online website.

Instead, 43-year-old Schumacher is all but resigned to bowing out of the sport at the end of the season on a low, his return to F1 since 2010 almost certainly to be remembered as a failure in his otherwise all-conquering career.

The Mercedes driver is quoted as admitting saying goodbye in Brazil with a good result would "be nice".

"But I don't expect it," he is quoted by Abendblatt. "So in this regard I will not be sentimental."

Michael Schumacher, Mercedes AMG. (Photo: WRi2)

Michael Schumacher said the most he can hope for is that the fruits of his contribution to the Mercedes project will be reaped by next year's drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

"It is natural that we are still working together as a team right now as though I will still be there next year. The team is also interested in my opinion and experience," he said.

Team boss Ross Brawn confirmed that Schumacher's hand will be obvious when Mercedes succeeds.

"I hope people think of Michael on the day that we achieve our goals, because he will wear a proportion of that success," said the Briton.

As Auto123.com had already revealed days ago, KV Racing has now confirmed officially that Swiss driver Simona de Silvestro will join the team for the 2013 IndyCar campaign and already did her first laps Monday at Barber Motorsports Park.

Simona de Silvestro was impressed with the Chevrolet engine and found that it was everything she was hoping for after making her first outing with KV Racing alongside her future partner Tony Kanaan.

Photo: KV Racing

In 2012, driving for the HVM Racing squad, the 24-year old driver had her share of disappointment having to compete with the uncompetitive Lotus powerplant but, still, managed to make some impressive showing especially on street courses.

Good news for de Silvestro, veteran open-wheel engineer Gerald Tyler, who worked for her at HVM, will follow her at KV Racing for 2013.

Were also present at the Barber test, Ganassi Racing's Dario Franchitti, Scott Dixon and Charlie Kimball along with Dale Coyne Racing's Justin Wilson.

I'm not one to judge a book by its cover, especially when it comes to automobiles. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; however, after spending a week aboard the 2012 Acura ZDX, I still can't figure out the target audience for this thingamabob.


It's not really an SUV, and it's definitely not a car. We'll call it a crossover vehicle because the term is so loose. And although the brand says the ZDX will please middle-aged couples with an active lifestyle whose children have moved out, who are looking for something sporty with the convenience of a back seat and four doors, I'm still scratching my head to the point of going bald.

For $54,990, a luxury vehicle buyer normally expects to be noticed, admired and even envied by both neighbours and strangers who cross their path. This didn't happen with the Acura ZDX.

Yet, it's got some strong qualities and is every bit an Acura as the rest of the product line-up. Let's try digging deeper than the skin.

Growling V6
The 2012 Acura ZDX shares its mechanicals with the 2012 Acura MDX, which means it gets a 3.7L V6 that develops 300 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, as well as a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Flat out, the ZDX reaches 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds and takes care of a quarter-mile in 14.7 seconds at 153 km/h.

So it's quick, yet you can feel every one of the 4,444 lbs that constitute the 2012 Acura ZDX Tech's curb weight, or only 130 some-odd pounds less than the seven-passenger MDX. The engine also feels livelier when you nudge the shift lever into the “S” position. As a somewhat sportier alternative to the run-of-the-mill SUV or crossover, the ZDX doesn't quite feel that way.

Our fuel economy average was, expectedly, 13L/100km. In addition, super unleaded is required.

The ZDX is quick; the 0 to 100 km/h dash takes 6.6 seconds.(Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Watch your head
A peculiar aspect of the 2012 Acura ZDX Tech is that it boasts sports-car space despite not being a sports car. The floor is high and the seats are mounted low, so front passengers sit with their legs in an almost horizontal position. Climbing in is easy, but you'll have a hard time getting out without rubbing your pants on the massive door sills. There isn't much headroom, either; and rear visibility is limited by the bisected hatch and fat rear pillars.

The concealed rear door handles did fool my kids, however, as they initially opened the front ones and started to tilt the front seatbacks before I realized they were looking for a way to get inside. From a distance, it does look like a coupe, although I don't know what the big deal is about trying to hide the rear doors.

And when you do open said doors, you'll quickly realize that the ZDX doesn't offer much space in back. Again, the high floor means you sit with your knees up high, struggling to squeeze your feet under the front seats. At least rear occupants get heated cushions, although Acura choosing rocker switches instead of buttons means those sitting in the back will forget to turn them off before exiting.

As for cargo space: Well, you do get 779 litres of volume in the 2012 Acura ZDX, which includes an underfloor storage area big enough to fit my backpack in. Fold down the rear seatback and you get up to 1,623 litres of space. However, there is no cargo cover so your belongings will be visible through the tinted windows.

Despite the lack of interior space, what I personally like the most about the 2012 Acura ZDX is the quality feel of the interior. The curvy dash design is dressed in stitched leather, while the overall appearance is extremely pleasing. The refined ride and great-sounding stereo are also a big plus.

The high floor means you'll sit with your legs stretched almost horizontally, like in a sports car.(Photo: Philippe Champoux)

What about your ego?
Waiting at traffic lights, I'd look in the rearview mirror and spot the occupants in the car behind pointing a finger and having a good laugh. Even children walking down the street were amused, not impressed, by the ZDX. Can a luxury vehicle buyer's ego put up with this? I didn't feel admired at all.

Generally, we try to categorize and compare a vehicle we test drive, and that's why we have so much difficulty not pigeonholing the 2012 Acura ZDX. It could be considered a rival of the Infiniti FX35, the Range Rover Evoque or a cheaper alternative to the BMW X6 - all of which offer something outside the norm.

I like vehicles that dare to be different. In this case, though, I think Acura went too far in their quest to create something unique. You can't possibly be admired and envied when you're constantly asked: “What the hell is that?” You will, however, get noticed.

From GMM

Bruno Senna hopes the battle between Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel for the 2012 title goes down to the wire in his native Brazil next month.

But he doubts it.

"I hope it does (happen) so that we can have some fun there," the Williams driver is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace, "but it's difficult. Red Bull has a very big advantage."

In fact, he thinks Ferrari's deficit to Red Bull could be even bigger this weekend in Abu Dhabi.

"In India, the advantage is somewhat minimised because it's a track with less limitation for the rear. But when you get to a track like Abu Dhabi, they (Red Bull) will have a very good performance," said the Brazilian.

Gary Anderson, a former F1 technical chief turned broadcaster, agrees that Red Bull and Vettel are very much the championship favourites.

"I don't know how Ferrari will pull it from nowhere to overtake Red Bull's pace of development," he is quoted by German-language Speed Week. "Especially as Red Bull will also have new things on their car in Abu Dhabi."

Austrian great Niki Lauda agreed this week that the title is now "almost impossible" for Spaniard Alonso to win.

Fernando Alonso in between the two Red Bull in India. (Photo: WRi2)

Fernando Alonso, however, said nothing has changed.

"It's been like this for a good part of my career, and yet people say good things about me, that I am considered one of the best."

He told Totalrace that the key to Vettel's resurgent title challenge has been Adrian Newey.

"I don't think Sebastian and Mark (Webber) have improved their driving since Singapore, yet suddenly they are always first and second. This means that the car they have now is so superior that they can even afford to make a mistake; they have that margin. But we (Ferrari) will work hard so that they don't have it in the three remaining races," Alonso insisted.

The Spaniard's former McLaren nemesis Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, clearly agrees with the paddock sentiment about Alonso being at least the 'moral' champion of 2012.

"In my opinion, he is a three or four times world champion already," the Briton is quoted by Spain's El Confidencial.

Nico Hulkenberg has been confirmed as one of the two drivers for the Sauber F1 Team in 2013.

The 2009 GP2 Series Champion made his F1 debut in 2010 with Williams. After one season as a reserve driver position at Sahara Force India in 2011, he was back on the grid this season with the Silverstone based team.

Team Principal Monisha Kaltenborn comments in a press release: "We've been observing Nico for some time now and his performances have been very persuasive. That was the case in GP2 and has continued into Formula 1. An obvious highlight was how he scored pole at Interlagos in 2010 despite the most challenging external conditions. He clearly showed that he can seize the chance if it arises. But high spots like that are one thing; systematic teamwork is another - and on that score I have confidence in Nico too."

Photo: Sauber F1 Team

Nico Hulkenberg's reaction: "I'm really looking forward to working with the Sauber F1 Team. It's a well-placed team and very competitive. Plus it's a team in which young drivers have repeatedly delivered exceptional performances. I would like to take up that baton. Until that time I will remain fully focused on my job with the Sahara Force India Team."

No word said on Kamui Kobayashi's status. The Swiss team "will announce its second driver for the 2013 season at a later date".

What is it?

2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring - Changing Gears

We're seeing sixth gear more than we'd like.

It didn't take very long for us to fall in love with the CX-5' spry handling characteristics, but one part of the driving experience is a sore spot - the transmission.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring - Four Seasons Update - October 2012 - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring - Four Seasons Update - October 2012 - Automobile Magazine

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News 31 Oct, 2012

Our reader is offered just £10 of the £250 he paid to insure his Volkswagen Golf, after cancelling his policy early

2013 Subaru BRZ - Automobile of the Year Testing

Our Four Seasons BRZ hopes to bring home an AOY trophy.

The 2013 Subaru BRZ's late fall introduction last year meant it narrowly missed being a part of our 2012 Automobile of the Year testing, yet we knew a car of this pedigree warranted a year-long examination even before we'd had a chance to hand it any awards. When it came time for our 2013 AOY testing, we'd already spent four months with our long-term car and the BRZ was a staff favorite heading into the weeklong event. While it's unusual to use a Four Seasons car for AOY evaluation, it's not easy finding an idle BRZ or Scion FR-S and so our Subaru made the trip to South Haven, Michigan, for a week in early October.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Subaru BRZ - Fours Seasons Update - November 2012 - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Subaru BRZ - Fours Seasons Update - November 2012 - Automobile Magazine

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General Motors said production at its Oshawa, Ontario, assembly plant returned to normal today after a two-day strike at a Lear parts plant in Ontario ended and Lear's supply of car seats to GM was restored.

Pictures 30 Oct, 2012

News 30 Oct, 2012

Renault has announced prices and specs for its all-electric Zoe

First Drive: 2013 Toyota Avalon and Avalon Hybrid

Forgetting how to float.

Since its introduction in 1995, the Toyota Avalon has always brought to mind Walter Mitty, the fictional character created by James Thurber. Like Walter Mitty, the Avalon meekly floated through life, taking a few insults here and there while dreaming it might become fun to drive and genuinely luxurious -- anything besides being the grim ticket for large-appliance buyers.

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2013 Toyota Avalon and Avalon Hybrid - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2013 Toyota Avalon and Avalon Hybrid - Automobile Magazine

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Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne approached PSA and GM earlier this month about a pan-European combination that would leapfrog Volkswagen as the region's largest automaker, three people familiar with the matter said.

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne approached PSA Peugeot Citroen and GM earlier this month about a pan-European combination that would leapfrog Volkswagen AG as the region's largest automaker, three people familiar with the matter said.

TRW Automotive reported a higher quarterly profit, helped by rising demand for its safety products and improved vehicle production volumes in North America.

Maruti Suzuki has reported a 5.4% fall in quarterly profit, its fifth straight such dip, after it was hit by production losses due to the recent deadly labour unrest.

Johnson Controls posted a narrow quarterly loss on weaker sales in its key automotive business in Europe and one-time restructuring and accounting charges, the company said today.