Auto News 5

Nissan Executive Vice President Colin Dodge, head of global operations in the Americas, Europe and emerging markets, is lightening his workload, partly so he can focus more on the United States.

A senior Wanxiang Group executive stressed A123 Systems, at the center of an American political storm after the Chinese firm won an auction for the electric car battery maker, would operate as an American company.

just-auto is taking the customary seasonal holiday and today's daily newsletter will be the last one for a short while as the office shuts down for the annual Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The EU is challenging the terms of a French government-backed rescue for PSA/Peugeot-Citroen's financing arm, a French newspaper reported.

From GMM

Sauber's inexperienced driver lineup will not hold the Swiss team back in 2013, Nico Hulkenberg insists.

25-year-old Hulkenberg, who is moving from Sahara Force India after returning to F1 this year, will be joined at the Hinwil based team by Mexican rookie Esteban Gutierrez.

Compared to Sauber's 2012 lineup, Hulkenberg and 21-year-old Gutierrez have 60 grands prix less experience than departing team drivers Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez.

"No -- I am bringing my bag of experience," said German Hulkenberg, who sat out the 2011 season after debuting for Williams the previous year.

"Sure, it's a new car for me, but every other team will have a new car as well that you have to get used to. So I don't think it's going to be a severe handicap," he told Blick newspaper on a visit to Sauber's Swiss headquarters.

Photo: Sauber F1 Team

However, with only two seasons under his belt, Hulkenberg finds himself the de-facto 'team leader' at Sauber for 2013.

He doesn't really agree, "I don't see the difference. It is a fact I have more experience (than Gutierrez) on paper, but I don't see myself in a different role than in Force India. At the end of the day I'm here to collect as many points as possible. Whether you are team leader or not doesn't make much difference."

Nico Hulkenberg said he doesn't know who is going to replace him at Sahara Force India, amid reports Adrian Sutil and Jules Bianchi are the hot favourites.

"I have no idea, really. I thought it was Sutil, but now the wait is taking so long, maybe logic suggests otherwise. But I have heard nothing. My concentration is here (Sauber) now," said Hulkenberg.

Amid perceptions he is making a 'sideways step' in the midfield, he defends his decision to swap Sahara Force India for Sauber.

"Yes, there were some races where Sauber fared poorly," said Hulkenberg, "but they proved this year that they have a fast car. Often I was overtaken by a Sauber this year and I saw for two or three corners how good the car is before it was gone."

"Naturally I sometimes wished that I was sitting in it," he smiled.

It has been rumoured Nico Hulkenberg is being groomed by Ferrari-powered Sauber for a switch to the Maranello based team in 2014.

Asked how long he will be a Sauber driver, Nico Hulkenberg laughed: "I don't know yet. We will see next year. The team (Sauber) basically does the contracts for one year only."

Apparently, some Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickup trucks from the 2010-2012 model years could be missing a secondary hood latch.

If the main hood latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly, contact the windshield and block the driver's field of vision, potentially leading to a collision.

Therefore, GM Canada dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the hood on the 15,264 affected units.

Source: Transports Canada

Photo: GM

Photo: GM

That convertible cruiser, sports car or roadster is hardly a good investment if it stays in the garage for half the year. Countless Canadians are catching on to this and demanding convertibles that can be used year-round. For that reason, it's now more common to see a convertible Camaro, 200, A5, MX-5, Bentley or MINI driving around in the winter months, covered in snow and salt.

And why not?

Automakers have made strides towards unmatched levels of year-round performance and durability from their products, and convertibles are no exception.

Douglas Haartz is the International Sales Manager at Haartz Corporation -- a company that creates textiles used by Tier 1 automotive suppliers in convertible tops for Audi, BMW, Rolls Royce, Aston Martin, Porsche, Chrysler, and many others.

“Today's soft-top convertibles are true, all-season vehicles,” commented Haartz.

“The evolution of convertible-top materials in the past several decades has enhanced the market for all-season enjoyment. Through innovations in surface or combining composites, the owner today can be assured that the top material is up to the challenge of everyday use. All materials used in modern convertibles is engineered to withstand the four seasons, and what Mother Nature can dish out.”

Photo: Matthieu Lambert

However, just like any other system in your car, truck or SUV, convertible tops require a little extra attention to maintain their appearance and functionality in the long run -- especially when they're driven in wintertime.

Here are a few tips to keep that convertible looking its finest for years to come:

• Frequent washes/rinses at your favourite coin-operated car wash are a great idea. These will maintain the shine and luster built into your top by removing abrasive salt and sand that can diminish the top's finish over time. Hand washing is ideal, but soft-cloth car washes can be used, too.

• Treatments that offer cloth-top protection and water repellency are available, and can be applied ahead of winter driving for an added layer of protection. Haartz mentions “a good cleaning and retreatment application several times per year will keep your top looking the best.”

• After a snowfall, remove all ice and snow from the convertible roof. Don't hack and chip away at ice or heavy snow, and be sure to use a soft brush or your hand wrapped in a mitt. Do not use a hard-bristled brush or ice scraper. Let you car warm up or park in a warm garage ahead of time to use temperature, not force, to loosen snow and ice. Heavy brushes and scraping could possibly damage your roof fabric.

• Don't operate your roof in cold temperatures. There's no need to cycle your roof between “up” and “down” positions in cold-weather months, anyways.

• This rule goes for all year: Don't put your roof down if it's wet. This can cause premature wear, and is an invitation for damaging mold and mildew.

• Be careful with that ice scraper when cleaning frost or ice from your windows. One slip, and it could scratch your convertible top. Use it with extra care, or pre-heat your convertible to melt frost from the windows ahead of time.

From BMW Motorsport

BMW has organised a fun confrontation between new DTM champion Bruno Spengler, and avid golfer and Martin Kaymer, professional golfer and BMW Brand Ambassador.

The BMW xDrive Mountain Challenge held in Kühtai in the Austrian Tyrol at the end of December saw the Canadian and the German go head to head on winding mountain roads and in a golf match on the 2,447-metre high Pirchkogel.

Photo: BMW Motorsport

It all came down to a somewhat alien discipline for both of them: sledging - and in extremely challenging winter conditions, with icy temperatures of minus 15 degrees Celsius.

In the driving duel on ice and snow-covered roads, the two protagonists could depend on the four-wheel drive expertise of their two vehicles: the BMW M550d xDrive and BMW 6 Series Coupé xDrive.

Photo: BMW Motorsport

The two successful sportsmen were on their own when it came to the rather peculiar golf match, however. The first tee took them to new heights: Kaymer and Spengler teed up in a cable car and drove their opening shots through the open door into the snowy nothingness.

The pair ended the challenge by hurtling back down into the valley on sledges. Having negotiated heavy snow drifts, they both crossed the finish line neck and neck, giving a spectacular day the thrilling finale it deserved.

Very few people expected Ferrari to be on the hunt for the 2012 Formula 1 title this season, let alone chasing Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel until the last race of the year.

The Ferrari F2012, a creation of Pat Fry and his team, was initially recalcitrant and well off the pace in opening rounds. However, the engineers kept working hard on it, developping new aerodynamic components and new exhausts, especially.

Two-time world champion, Fernando Alonso, drove extremely well all year long and motivated the employees of the Scuderia like no other. At the end, Ferrari ranked second in the Constructor's standings with 400 points, second to the mighty Red Bull team.

Photo: Ferrari

Fernando Alonso
2nd in the Driver's Championship with 278 points
Best place in qualifications: 1st (2 poles, Great Britain and Germany)
Best race result: 1st (3 wins, Malaysia, Valencia, and Germany)
Retired twice

Felipe Massa
7th in the Driver's Championship with 122 points
Best place in qualifications: 3rd (Italy)
Best race result: 2nd (Japan)
Retired once

After a somewhat difficult early season -- probably due to erroneous aerodynamic data from the wind tunnel tests -- the F2012 improved steadily in the hands of Alonso, who led the championship for much of the year. Vettel eventually beat Alonso to the driver's crown, but Massa's improved form helped the team to second in the constructor's standings.

Alonso was superb all season long, making very few mistakes. He was unfortunatly taken out of the race in the chaos that took place at the start of the Belgian Grand Prix; a retirement cost him dearly. The Spaniard climbed on the podium in the final five races, as well as seven times in the last eight races. That's consitency.

Photo: Ferrari

Alonso's teammate, Felipe Massa, struggled to come to grips with the tricky F2012 and was comprehensively outclassed by Alonso over the first half of the season, rarely making it into Q3. He scored only 11 points in the first eight races of the year (in comparison, Alonso scored 111 points during the same period of time).

The Brazilian slowly improved before scoring his first podium since 2010 in Japan, and adding another in Brazil. He is lucky to keep his seat at Ferrari for 2013.

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone should quit if German prosecutors charge him with corruption.

That is the view of Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, who recently attacked F1's chief executive for being too old to remain in charge of the sport.

"Could the post be filled by Montezemolo?" wondered Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Michael Schmidt.

Whether or not the 65-year-old Italian wants the 82-year-old Briton's job, he admits to thinking the Ecclestone era should be over.

"I hope for Bernie and F1 that nothing will happen," Montezemolo, referring to the possibility Ecclestone will be formerly charged over the Gerhard Gribkowsky bribery scandal, told the Independent.

"If Bernie is accused under process, I think he will be the first to give a step back in the interests of formula one. This could be bad for F1."

As for Ecclestone's long reign over the sport, he continued: "The era of the one man show cannot continue: we are slowly approaching the end of a period characterised by the style of one man who has done significant things."

Luca di Montezemolo and Bernie Ecclestone.

The Toyota Furia, which is hailed by the automaker as an ''exciting new sedan concept,'' will make its global debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 14th, 2013.

Other than the following video, no further information was made public, so we'll have to wait until the big event (broadcast live through http://new.livestream.com/toyota) to learn more about this car.

The 2013 calendar of the World Touring Car Championship has been released.

As it was already announced, the season will begin on March 24 in Monza, Italy, and will end November 17 in the streets of Macau.

For the first time, the WTCC will visit Russia on June 9, two months before the DTM race at the Moscow Speedway.

There was doubt about Marrakech's race, but the North African round of the championship has been confirmed, so is the Brazilian round in Curitiba.

The WTCC will make its return to Porto, but the Spanish round in Valencia has disappeared from the calendar. Valencia already lost its DTM race for next season.

Photo: FIA WTCC

It will be the last season for the WTCC with the current techncnial rules, as new ones will be introduced for 2014, together with the possible Citroën arrival with Sebastien Loeb.

2013 calendar:
March 24: Monza, Italy

April 7: Marrakech, Morocco
April 29: Slovakia Ring, Slovak Republic
May 5: Budapest, Hungary

May 18: Salzburgring, Austria
June 9: Moscow, Russia
June 30: Porto, Portugal
July 28: Curitiba, Brazil
September 8: Sonoma, USA
September 22: Suzuka, Japan

November 3: Shanghai, China
November 17: Macau

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has this week delighted his Christmas card recipients with his latest humorous handiwork.

Every year, the F1 chief executive commissions an original cartoon for his annual card, depicting a contemporary F1 issue with a mischievous tilt.

For the 2012 holiday season, the 82-year-old's card shows Lewis Hamilton abandoning his broken-down McLaren and leaping into a Mercedes saloon.

The silver road car is being driven by the red-capped Niki Lauda, and in the passenger seat is a big golden bag of cash for Briton Hamilton.

They are bound for Stuttgart, which according to the roadside sign is "Not far".

Mercedes-Benz is launching a new vehicle configurator on its website, with high-resolution pictures that show off every fibre of leather, fabric, and wood. Then, with just a click, users can apply the desired interior or exterior colours to the chosen model.

The new vehicle configurator promises ultra-friendly navigation: Visitors will enjoy total freedom and won't be forced to follow a set of predefined steps. At the end of the operation, their custom car is assigned a personal online code, which can later be used by a Mercedes-Benz sales representative during a trip to the showroom.

In related news, the Mercedes-AMG website was also revamped using an HTML platform and now includes over 1,000 pages of content. It can be accessed both from PCs as well as tablets and smartphones.

Visitors will be able to make use of 360-degree visualization techniques to view every AMG model in many different environments, and at any time share their experiences and impressions on social media. Moreover, Mercedes-AMG drivers will have access to the AMG Private Lounge, which provides exclusive content.

For now, these websites are available in German and English only. Additional languages will follow at a later date.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

Team principal Stefano Domenicali announced a few changes in the organization of Scuderia Ferrari, and also looked ahead to next season of the Formula 1 World Championship.

In a recent interview posted on Ferrari's web site, Domenicali said: “For a few months now, we have been working on a programme of reorganization along with the introduction of new methodologies, especially concerning the wind tunnel.”

“As you know, we are rebuilding the Maranello facility which will be closed until August. Until then, we will use the Toyota wind tunnel in Cologne. We have also adopted a better method of splitting up the work between those who run the wind tunnel and those who should concentrate more on the creative side of the job. This year, we saw that when we do too many things at the same time, maybe we are not efficient enough,” the Italian added.

The 2013 car will be powered by the existing 2.4-litre, normally aspirated V8 engine while the 2014 challenger will be completely different, and be powered by the new 1.6-litre turbo V6 motor.

“We have decided to have two coordinators: Simone Resta, an engineer who has developed his career in Maranello and is very effective, will work on the 2013 car and Fabio Montecchi, will deal with the one for the following year. But Nikolas Tombazis continues as chief designer, ” said Domenicali.

The team principal added: “We will need to try and push the technical regulations to the very limit, while maintaining our strong points from this year, or improving them still further, because the others will not be twiddling their thumbs, but not by almost brushing against illegality, as happened in 2009 with the double diffuser. However, we need to adopt a different, more creative approach.”

From GMM

Thailand looks set to join the F1 calendar in 2015.

It was believed the capital Bangkok was targeting its inaugural grand prix in 2014.

But F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal as saying the first Thai street race, staged under floodlights, will be in 2015.

"An F1 race is likely to take place here in early 2015 instead of in 2014 in our initial plan," Kanokphand Chulakasem, governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, told the Bangkok Post.

It is believed Red Bull, whose co-owner Chalerm Yoovidkya is from Thailand, is involved in the preparations.

"I can say that it is almost 100 per cent certain that Thailand will host an F1 race," said the energy drink's representative Michael De Santiesteban, who reportedly met with Ecclestone last month.

"With Thailand on the calendar," he added, "a current race is likely to be removed."

Former U.S. President George W. Bush's 2009 Ford F-150 King Ranch 4X4 Super Crew will be put up for bid next month to profit the Fisher House Foundation, a national program dedicated to assisting America's military families.

Bush himself purchased the F-150 to use at his Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford, Texas. The dashboard features his signature and a video showing him autographing the truck and driving it around his ranch will be included with the purchase.

''I haven't driven on a street in many, many years, but I have been able to drive this truck on my ranch,'' he said.

The Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ will take place on January 19th, 2013.

Photo: Barret-Jackson

A few days ago, Team Auto123.com performed a midsize front-wheel-drive sedan comparison test. These multi-car evaluations require a number of weeks to get off the ground, and so when a date is set for the actual drive day, we stick to it.

Unfortunately (or fortunately), Mother Nature also had plans for that day: a massive dumping of snow, and some of the worst possible driving conditions. Being Canadian, we fear not winter as we're always prepared for when hell freezes over (as it seems to do year in and year out).

Our comparo test story, and results, will be published towards the end of January; but in the meantime, here are a few winter driving tips along with links to some of our winter survival guides.

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre

Visibility is Key
Make sure your vehicle is ready to meet the challenges of winter driving. Start with seeing and being seen. Ensure all the lights on your vehicle are working properly and that your headlamps are aimed correctly. If you can't see properly out of your car, you're asking for trouble. Consider using a quality winter wiper blade and washer fluid to help cut through the snow and ice, as well to make sure you travel safely this winter.

Winter Wipers
Many windsheild wipers have hinges and moving parts that can collect water, ice and snow in the winter months that cause them to freeze up and become ineffective. Solution? Winter wiper blades. These have a rubber or plastic cover to keep ice out of the hinges. Hinge-less, reflex-style blades are great in the winter, too.

Keep it Clear
Remember: In most provinces, driving a car covered in snow and ice can get you a ticket. It's common sense, but don't forget to clear snow and ice from your ride before you set off. Salt film should be cleared from your headlights and taillights whenever it starts impeding visibility, too.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
This system is marketed by automakers under different names, which include “StabiliTrak,” “Vehicle Dynamics Management” (VDM) and “Vehicle Stability Assist” (VSA). Regardless of the name, an ESC system works to help keep vehicles out of dangerous skids -- and industry authorities are recognizing it as a life-saving technology.

By monitoring vehicle behaviour and comparing it with driver intentions via the steering, ESC can instantaneously recognize conditions that will lead to a skid or fishtail. When these conditions are detected, the system instantaneously reduces engine power and applies split-second brake pulsations to specific wheels. This happens with no driver involvement, and often before the driver realizes a skid was about to occur.

A key to the system's effectiveness is that it reacts far more quickly, precisely and consistently than a human being ever could. The benefits of ESC are even more pronounced in wintertime, when skidding and sliding is more likely. Used with proper winter tires, ESC is arguably the single most important weapon in the fight against wintertime skids.

For a many other tips and recommendations, you can consult our ultimate winter guide.

From GMM

Lotus' need for "continuity" helped Romain Grosjean keep his job after the Frenchman's tumultuous return to formula one in 2012.

That is the admission of team boss Eric Boullier, who along with team owner Gerard Lopez took his time in deciding whether the 26-year-old - derided as F1's "crash pilot" by many sections of the media - should be replaced.

Asked by Switzerland's Speed Week why Geneva-born Grosjean ultimately got the nod, Frenchman Boullier answered: "Continuity is a significant factor in a racing team.

"Driver changes bring unrest. Take a look at how stable the driver pairings at the top teams have been in recent years -- Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren. This is no accident. It takes time and energy to fuse the working methods of drivers and teams," he said.

Romain Grosjean was close to the victory in Valencia, before his retirement. (Photo: WRi2)

As for why Grosjean, who for the second year in succession will be Kimi Raikkonen's Lotus teammate, is the right man for the job, Boullier stated: "Cohesion, courage, speed, freshness. And if he develops properly, he can be made not only a grand prix winner, but also a world champion. If he develops the way we want, then soon he will be one of the top five formula one drivers."

Romain Grosjean made many mistakes in 2012, including the Spa start-line crash that saw him serve an ultra-rare FIA race ban at Monza.

"World champions make mistakes," Boullier acknowledged, "even if that happens rarely. I just want Romain to be competitive from the first race of the season."

American Suzuki, the American distributor of Suzuki cars and motorcycles, will import about 2,500 more autos to meet demand that jumped after the company filed for bankruptcy with plans to end sales in the United States.