Auto News 5

Jaguar Land Rover's Chinese joint venture partner Chery has established another JV to revive the British Leyland Mini Moke.

Volkswagen took a leading 17.3% share of imported cars in Japan last month, the second month in a row the company has led the table.

Opel confirmed it will close its Bochum plant in Germany in 2016 when the current version of the Zafira minivan is replaced, as the automaker does not expect Europe's auto market to recover soon

Managers at General Motors' German unit Adam Opel on Monday (10 December) told workers that vehicle production at the Bochum plant would when end the current Zafira model runs out in 2016.

BMW Group increased global sales by 23 percent to 170,932 vehicles in November, a record for that month, powered by strong volume gains in China.

Toyota expects its vehicle sales in Japan to fall by over 18% year on year to 1.36m units in 2013, from an estimated 1.67m in 2012, according to local reports.

Bikes are back.

Fiat and Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne is exporting his rivalry with VW from Europe to the United States, with the offer of a $1,000 rebate to current Volkswagen owners in the U.S. to buy a Fiat or Chrysler vehicle.

From GMM

Former Williams chairman Adam Parr has confirmed it was Bernie Ecclestone who pushed him to leave formula one.

Earlier this year, Briton Parr - Williams' de-facto team principal - suddenly quit, despite his apparently rising stature within the Oxfordshire based team and the F1 paddock.

His shock departure was met with cynicism, as it coincided with the end to an impasse with F1's chief executive over Williams' stalled Concorde Agreement negotiations.

Bernie Ecclestone in India. (Photo: WRi2)

The Telegraph hinted at the time that Parr "was the victim of a power play", and the latest rumour is that he could be set to commence legal action against Ecclestone, F1's chief executive.

At the time, Williams said Adam Parr resigned simply to spend more time with his family.

He has now admitted in his new book 'The Art of War - Five Years in Formula One': "I had resigned that week, rightly or wrongly believing that Ecclestone had told my board that no Concorde offer would be forthcoming while I was running Williams.

"Under the circumstances, I chose to stand down so that the team could make the best deal possible with him. The offer arrived the day after my resignation had been announced," added Adam Parr.

From GMM

There will be three pre-season tests prior to the 2013 season, reportedly all in Spain.

Peter Sauber revealed last week that the Swiss team's 2013 car, the C32, will be launched on the first day of official pre-season group testing next February 5, at Jerez.

The Italiaracing website said that will be a four-day schedule at the southern Spanish venue, before Barcelona hosts the second test of the winter period between February 19 and 22.

Barcelona will also host the third and final pre-2013 season test, again over four days, beginning on February 28. The venue, Circuit de Catalunya, confirmed the news.

The third test will conclude on 3 March, precisely two weeks before the 2013 championship kicks off in Melbourne.

Mercedes AMG F1. (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has admitted he wishes German Michael Schumacher never returned from retirement.

Now, after an unsuccessful three-year comeback with Mercedes, the great German is retiring once again after adding just a single podium to his outstanding former tally of titles and wins.

"I would rather he had stopped as a seven time world champion than stopping now," F1 chief executive Ecclestone told the sport's official website.

"People new to the sport ... will remember Michael now, not as he was. They don't see the hero that he was but the human that can fail," he said.

Bernie Ecclestone and Michael Schumacher celebrating the German's 300th grand prix. (Photo: WRi2)

Ecclestone, 82, said choosing the right moment to quit is "important".

"I hope that's what I can do: when I feel I can't deliver, I will certainly say goodbye," he promised.

Ecclestone acknowledged, however, that it is the fact Schumacher is such a "competitive guy" that meant he could not stay away.

From GMM

Sebastian Vettel almost missed the FIA's end-of-season FIA prize giving gala, where he received his trophy for winning the 2012 title for a third consecutive time.

But DPA news agency reports that the Red Bull driver actually touched down in Istanbul without his passport, and initially was refused entry into Turkey.

"Vettel, who arrived on a private jet, had to wait over an hour at the airport," the report read. "It was only after the intervention of the Turkish motor sports federation that he was allowed through customs with a replacement document."

Kimi Raikkonen at the FIA prize giving gala. (Photo: FIA Facebook)

Kimi Raikkonen, who said he "unfortunately" had to attend due to finishing the season in third place, also caused a stir when he showed up at the black-tie function -- wearing a suit but no tie.

"I don't follow the rules," Lotus quoted the inimitable Finn as saying on Twitter, "I just make them."

Ford is launching a new 3.2L five-cylinder turbodiesel engine in North America. Combining performance with exceptional fuel economy, this addition to the Power Stroke family will debut in the all-new 2014 Ford Transit.

Ford Transit 2014. (Photo: Ford)

Smaller than the existing 6.7L Power Stroke V8 in the F-Series Super Duty trucks, it marks the only application of a five-cylinder diesel engine in a commercial van in North America.

While power has not been certified yet, European ratings amount to 197 horsepower and 347 lb-ft of torque.

The 3.2L diesel engine will join Ford's increasingly efficient lineup, which is set to grow from four to eight vehicles achieving 40 mpg or higher next year.

Prindiville, a British tuning house known for its work on premium sports cars, has just created an all-electric version of the late Hummer.

Much smaller than the original at 3 metres long, 1.4 metre wide and 1.4 metre tall, the Prindiville Electric Hummer is a three-door, rear-wheel-drive SUV with seating for two and, more importantly, zero emissions. It uses a 72V electric motor and nine 8V batteries that provide a range of 40 miles (64 kilometres) with a top speed of 40 mph (64 km/h).

Electric Hummer. (Photo: Prindiville)

According to Prindiville's website, the Electric Hummer starts at £14,000 (equal to $22,200). A carbon fibre-trimmed model is available at £25,000 ($39,700).

Should the vehicle remain on the other side of the Atlantic, here's hoping that the idea behind it will at least make it across.

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has launched a special website to celebrate its 75th anniversary. Fans can go to toyota-global.com to learn about the Japanese automaker's storied past, which started back in 1938 with the opening of the Koromo assembly plant.

Over the following decades, TMC has spread across the globe and gone on to become the world's largest automaker a few years ago.

On a related note, Toyota Canada will celebrate 50 years of automotive production in 2014.

Photo: Toyota

From GMM

The chances Austria could return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2013 are rising.

With the Turkish government ruling out state support for Istanbul Park's return, the former A1-Ring - now called the 'Red Bull Ring' - has emerged as the favourite to fill the reserved twentieth spot on next year's calendar.

The energy drink company's motor racing chief Dr Helmut Marko told Speed Week: "We have made the FIA aware that we have a track with a full F1 license."

As for who will pay the bill, the Austrian answered: "There is the province of Styria, and the republic of Austria."

Another stumbling block could be a lack of accommodation in the Spielberg area, but Marko insisted: "Nonsense, there was enough in the 70s and 80s."

A DTM race at the Red Bull Ring. (Photo: Red Bull)

And he said Graz, Austria's second largest city after Vienna, is not far away.

The A1-Ring, totally refurbished since then, hosted F1 until 2003.

But what about the difficulties or organising a grand prix at such short notice?: "No problem," said Marko.

And the small media centre?: "It can be expanded," he promised.

Veteran crew chief, Tony Eury Jr. will be reunited with Steve Hmiel (competition director) at Swan Racing for the No. 30 Toyota to be driven by David Stremme.

Just last week Swan Racing, owned by Brandon Davis, announced it was taking over the assets of Inception Racing and that it intended to run entire races.

Tony Eury Jr. with his former driver, Danica Patrick. (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)

"We have a long-term vision for Swan Racing and the addition of Tony Jr. is another step in that process. Tony brings a world of experience to Swan Racing and will be part of our long-term success," said Davis.

"I am really impressed with the team Swan Racing is building and I am proud to be part of it," said Eury.  "I am looking forward to working with David Stremme behind the wheel and with competition director Steve Hmiel."

Eury, who previously worked at Junior Motorsports with Danica Patrick in the Nationwide Series, worked at Dale Earnhardt, Inc with Hmiel. DEI merged with Chip Ganassi Racing to form Earnhardt Ganassi Racing.

Eury can claim part of 19 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories with Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Jr. including twice winning the Budweiser Shootout in 2003 and 2008.   In 2006, Earnhardt qualified for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and finished 5th in points with Eury making the calls on race day

"Tony Jr. has pretty much done it all from tire changer to crew chief.  His experience and knowledge will be pivotal to the success of Swan Racing," said competition director Steve Hmiel. 

Stremme's eyebrow was virtually raised by the heavy weight in NASCAR fire power being raised when he said, "The team has transformed itself virtually overnight. It's hard to believe just how different this team is in such a short period of time.  This is how you build success from the ground up; you hire quality people, put their experience to work and execute on race day.”

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series has published its 2013 calendar that will feature 12 dates at 11 different tracks across five Canadian provinces.

The series will kick off the season on Victoria Day weekend (May 19) on the 2.459-mile, 10-turn road course at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park near Bowmanville, Ontrio.

For the first time since the 2010 season, the Canadian Tire Series returns to the .4-mile oval at Autodrome St. Eustache (Quebec) on July 27.

The series will visit the 2.113-mile airport road course of Mirabel, Quebec's Circuit ICAR on July 7.

Edmonton is not on the NASCAR Canadian Tire schedule anymore. (Photo: NASCAR)

The season will draw to a close and a new champion will be crowned at Kawartha Speedway, the .375-mile oval near Peterborough, Ontario, on Sept. 21.

2013 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Schedule
Sun., May 19 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (2.459-mile RC)
Sat., June 15 Delaware Speedway (.5-mile)
Sat., June 22 Speedway at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (.5-mile)
Sun., July 7 Circuit ICAR (2.113-mile RC)
Sat., July 13 Motoplex Speedway (.5-mile)
Wed., July 17 Auto Clearing Motor Speedway (.333-mile) .
Sat., July 27 Autodrome St. Eustache (.4-mile)
Sun., Aug. 11 Circuit de Trois-Rivieres (1.53-mile RC)
Sat., Aug,. 17 Riverside International Speedway (.333-mile)
Sun., Sept. 1 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (2.459-mile RC)
Sat., Sept. 7 Barrie Speedway (.333-mile)
Sat. Sept. 21 Kawartha Speedway (.375-mile)

From Honda Indy Toronto

Tickets to the 2013 Honda Indy Toronto are now on sale. For the first time in its history, the event will feature two official, fully-sanctioned IZOD IndyCar Series races, one with standing start on Saturday and a second with a rolling start on Sunday.

Each event will be full length, with full points and full prize money.

The release of tickets for 2013 also features important changes to seating. Promoters will build three new “super-structure” grandstands - one at Turn 10 (consolidating three grandstands), a taller structure for the Dr Pepper Grandstand at Turn 11, and a Turn 3 Grandstand that will see the addition of 15 rows.


Each of the three new grandstands offers better sightlines, more seating options and greater comfort. The switch to larger grandstands affords an important additional benefit: greater track-side access for General Admission ticket holders and wandering fans looking for multiple viewpoints.

Event organizers are introducing a new ticketing strategy that is focused on simplicity and greater value. Site access starts at $35 for General Admission tickets, while reserved seating prices start at $60 for single-day tickets in Turn 10 and the Dr Pepper Grandstand (Turn 11).

New this year, all purchases of 2-day upper-level seats in Pit Lane, Start/Finish and Turn 3 Grandstands come with a complimentary 3-day IndyCar Paddock Pass valued at $45.

Tickets for the 2013 Honda Indy Toronto are on sale now. For more information, visit www.hondaindy.com.

From GMM

Lotus F1 Team is reportedly close to announcing a multi-million dollar title sponsorship deal with Honeywell, the American technology giant.

"It is thought the framework of the agreement is in place and a formal announcement pending," said Sportspro journalist David Cushnan on Monday.

The news follows Lotus' recent signing of a sponsor deal with Burn, the European energy drink label of the American beverage giant Coca-Cola.

Lotus-Renault E20. (Photo: WRi2)

After a five year absence, the United States returned to the F1 calendar this year with a highly successful race on a bespoke circuit in Austin, Texas.

Citing 'informed insiders', Cushnan said the Honeywell deal could be worth $30 million per year to Lotus.

Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus ranked third in this year's F1 World Championship and scored one victory.