Auto News 5

Far from being discouraged by last year's flooding in Thailand, Japanese carmakers are boosting their presence in the country.

Faurecia cut back its medium-term earnings target and warned that Europe's auto production slump would erode regional sales over the next five years.

Toyota Motor plans to spend up to IDR26 trillion (US$2.7bn) to expand its manufacturing operations in Indonesia over the next four years.

Fiat has appointed company veteran Alfredo Altavilla as head of the automaker's money-losing European operations.

Fiat has appointed company veteran Alfredo Altavilla as head of the automaker's money-losing European operations.

The much-anticipated Lamborghini Aventador roadster is joining the supercar stable of the famous Italian purveyor of performance.

At a time of retrenchment in electric vehicles and alternative powertrains, BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer reaffirmed his company's commitment to new technology, particularly electric drive.

Neil De Koker, 69, president of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association, is stepping down at the end of 2013.

For Chrysler-Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, these are the best of times and the worst of times. While Fiat is being hammered by the economic turmoil in Europe, Chrysler continues to pile up profits and rack up market share gains in the United States.

Suzuki dealers face a decision: Give up their franchises in exchange for cash or fight the factory in bankruptcy court. The question for dealers: Are the offers comparable to what they would have received under state franchise laws?

Nissan Motor Co. CEO Carlos Ghosn is chasing ambitious goals under his current business plan: a 10 percent market share in the United States and 8 percent globally by 2017. But things aren't going as planned. The company's U.S.

Ford Motor Co. is battling problems with new technologies, as shown by consumer complaints about the MyFord Touch controls system. But CEO Alan Mulally is adamant that Ford will continue to be a technology leader.

After Hyundai and Kia admitted this month to selling 900,000 2011-13 vehicles with overstated mileage ratings, the South Korean companies have a big problem: a credibility gap with customers that could turn into long-term damage to the brands.

With President Obama's auto agenda likely to be unchanged in his second term -- electric cars and stricter fuel economy rules -- industry leaders have turned their attention to a more immediate concern inside the Washington beltway.

Honda Motor Co. President Takanobu Ito is prepping his company for growth. He wants to boost North American sales 18 percent to 2 million vehicles in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017.

Alan Mulally, 67, will stay on as Ford CEO for at least two more years, while Mark Fields, 51, currently president of the Americas, will become COO on Dec. 1. Ford appears to be cruising along smoothly, but some problems persist.

From GMM

Jacques Villeneuve has admitted he is no fan of 'DRS', the moveable rear wing innovation that for the past two seasons has made passing much easier in formula one.

The critics of the 'drag reduction system', however, say it only creates artificial racing, and indeed often deprives the sport of many genuine head-to-heads.

"Every time I see DRS I get angry," 1997 world champion Villeneuve told Switzerland's Motorsport Aktuell.

DRS open on Michael Schumacher's Mercedes. (Photo: WRi2)

"It destroys every good battle. What also annoys me is the rule about only changing your line once. That's the worst one of all," said the 41-year-old former Williams, BAR and BMW driver.

"The rule should be that blocking is not allowed -- that's it," added Villeneuve.

He is therefore critical of the 'new generation' of F1 drivers, saving particular rebuke for Romain Grosjean, who Villeneuve alleges is "totally of control".

"Or what Maldonado did to Hamilton in Valencia," he added.

Jacques Villeneuve blames some of that culture on the high standards of today's circuits.

"Today, where the run-off used to be grass, now it's paved. But that (the grass) often made you withdraw automatically. Now many are pushing without thinking. The young drivers coming into formula one today are not ready. Playing video games all day, they've forgotten that motor sport is dangerous."

From GMM

Giedo van der Garde has played down reports he is set to be imminently unveiled as a Caterham race driver for 2013.

The well-backed Dutchman, who this year contested the GP2 championship for Tony Fernandes' team, has also been Caterham's reserve driver in 2012 and has recently been driving the green CT01 in Friday morning practice sessions.

Rumours last week, as van der Garde tested the Caterham in Abu Dhabi, suggested the 27-year-old is now on the cusp of securing a full race drive for 2013.

Giedo Van der Garde à Abu Dhabi. (Photo: Caterham F1 Team)

"Discussions are ongoing," van der Garde is quoted by the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

"On both sides there is the intention to keep working together, and I hope to have clarity within two to three weeks."

Because Caterham stands to lose millions in Concorde Agreement earnings due to falling behind Marussia in the constructors' championship, it is rumoured van der Garde could oust the team's highly rated paid driver Heikki Kovalainen.

And according to speculation, Frenchman Charles Pic is the favourite to replace Vitaly Petrov, whose Russian funding has reportedly dried up.

From HRT

The current owners of HRT Formula 1 Team, Thesan Capital II S.a.r.l., would like to confirm that they are currently in talks with a number of groups interested in buying the team.

HRT Formula 1 Team's current management hopes to conclude the sale in the upcoming weeks and, with it, enable the team to continue progressing and become a reference in modern-day Formula 1 after the important achievements already accomplished in this 2012 season.

HRT Formula 1 Team hopes to communicate the name of its new owner in the upcoming weeks.

Photo: HRT F1 Team

According to the HRT Formula 1 Team management, "we believe the moment to let new investors come through for HRT Formula 1 Team has arrived. We're very proud of the work done by the entire team and of the excellent sporting evolution achieved but the time has come for the team to continue growing with new financial backing. We're convinced that the sporting potential of the team is huge and that the presence of new investors can give it a big boost”.

HRT was originally created for the 2010 season by ex-Formula 1 driver Adrian Campos to enter as Campos Meta. But it changed owners before the start of the season and became Hispania Racing Team, and it was sold again to be renamed HRT.

From GMM

Paul Hembery has named a trio of potential candidates to be F1 tyre supplier Pirelli's test driver in 2013.

The Briton, who is the head of the Italian marque's F1 programme, confirmed that Brazilian Lucas di Grassi's testing contract runs to the end of next year.

"Lucas does a great job for us. After next year his continuation depends on our decision to stay or not in 2013," Hembery told Brazil's Totalrace.

Jaime Alguersuari was the other Pirelli tester in 2012, but the former Toro Rosso racer is hoping to return to a race seat next season.

"In addition to Lucas, we are evaluating other names in the market like (Adrian) Sutil and Alguersuari."

German Sutil, however, clearly has plans to race next year. After a season on the bench in 2012, the former Force India driver has updated his official website with the words "Next destination: Australia".

Lucas di Grassi aboard the Renault R30 Pirelli. (Photo: Pirelli)

What about Kamui Kobayashi? According to strong rumours, the Japanese could be replaced at Sauber by the Telmex-backed Esteban Gutierrez, or the impressive rookie Dutchman Robin Frijns.

"It's a possibility," said Hembery. "We'll see what happens with him (Kobayashi). I imagine he's still trying to get a (race) seat, so we'll wait."

Paul Hembery had even recently mentioned Michael Schumacher's name as a possible Pirelli tester.

"I tried in Japan to convince him," he smiled, "but it didn't work. I think he wants to go skydiving or something!"