Auto News 5

Toyota wants to replace older workers in the US with younger ones and is seeking voluntary retirement of 2,000 employees, about 10% of its total headcount in the country.

Hong Kong-based DCH Holdings plans to invest about NT$1bn (US$33.3m) to set up a plant in Taiwan to assemble Isuzu trucks through its local subsidiary, Taipei Triangle Motors, the local importer.

News 5 Dec, 2012

New BMW 3 Series-sized Jaguar could be its first to offer AWD in the UK

Fuji Heavy Industries' Subaru is considering expanding its Lafayette, Indiana, car factory to meet rising demand and to increase US output to offset losses caused by the high yen.

News 5 Dec, 2012

The Chancellor has scrapped the planned 3p per litre tax rise for January

What is it?

The Mercedes-Benz Vito and Nissan NV200 could become London's taxis of choice as the maker of the city's famous black cabs fights bankruptcy.

Nissan has hit back at Fiat for its recent criticism of the looks of the Japanese automaker's Leaf EV.

Volkswagen Group has named Renault's former chief of Europe, Jacques Rivoal, as president of the German automaker's French operations.

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.'s Subaru unit is studying expanding its Indiana assembly plant as the Toyota affiliate seeks to boost U.S. output to curb currency losses and meet growing demand for its models.

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed he is pushing to revive the Turkish grand prix.

We reported at the weekend that Istanbul Park, the Hermann Tilke-penned circuit that hosted formula one between 2005 and 2011, has been taken over by local businessman Vural Ak.

F1 chief executive Ecclestone told Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport: "I am going to Istanbul to see if we can get the Turkish grand prix back before participating at the World Council."

Istanbul Park. (Photo: WRi2)

The 82-year-old Briton also used the interview with the authoritative sports newspaper to reject claims by Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo he is now too old to be in charge of F1.

"I have a thousand ideas," said Bernie Ecclestone.

From GMM

Marussia is the only team on the official 2013 entry list that is yet to be offered a new Concorde Agreement deal.

The German website motorsport-total.com reports that the news could be particularly bad for the Russian-owned British backmarker, as Bernie Ecclestone is apparently considering scrapping the so-called 'column 3' benefits for the sport's new teams that debuted in 2010.

Presumably, Ecclestone wants to scrap the column-3 entitlements because Caterham has moved into a higher status due to regularly finishing tenth in the constructors' world championship.

And HRT has not applied to compete in 2013.

Photo: Marussia F1 Team

Marussia is therefore the only active team that has not even been offered a new Concorde Agreement deal by Ecclestone.

"The last thing we were told was that the columns 1, 2 and 3 will still be there. But to be honest, as long as there is no agreement, who knows?" said the team's sporting director Graeme Lowdon.

He insisted: "It has no effect on us in terms of us being here. We will be here, no question."

But the situation has raised the question of whether Marussia will ever be offered a Concorde Agreement deal.

"I don't know, it's up to Bernie," Lowdon explained. "It is strange that some teams have one while others don't. You would have to ask the owner of the commercial rights or the FIA."

From GMM

When the mere survival of HRT looked bleak, the Spanish team's Chinese development driver Ma Qing Hua started to look elsewhere.

That is the claim of the Diario AS newspaper, reporting that the 24-year-old Shanghai-born driver entered talks with other F1 backmarkers Caterham and Marussia.

Each of those teams are yet to confirm their second race drivers for the 2013 season.

Photo: HRT F1 Team

AS said Qing Hua's management, China Sport Management, opened talks with Caterham and Marussia around the time of the recent Austin and Brazil double-header.

The news is a real blow to HRT's chances of remaining in formula one, as rumours had suggested China Sport Management was involved in talks to rescue the ailing Spanish team.

From GMM

Valtteri Bottas is not like other 'pay drivers' on the F1 grid, his main backer insists.

The young Finn, set to debut for Williams next year, is backed by Antti Aarnio-Wihuri, whose company Wirhuri is a global industry and trade conglomerate.

Aarnio-Wihuri is quoted by Turun Sanomat: "I have a personal acquaintance with Frank Williams, which played a role. On next year's car we will have big ads. We are talking about substantial sums, but not tens of millions, as has been mentioned for some of the other (F1) drivers. We hope to get back the money we have invested through the advertising."

Valtteri Bottas, Williams. (Photo: WRi2)

It's a simple, common-sense ideology when it comes to enhancing safety on the go. When drivers keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel, they're afforded plenty of warning about upcoming hazards and able to react quickly to avoid them. This is especially important throughout the winter when icy roads and cold tires mean more time is needed to stop for or steer clear of a situation.

If you haven't been in the new car market for a few years, you'll be delighted at the availability of once-expensive features meant to keep your attention on the road ahead. A variety of hi-tech, fully automatic and voice-commanded systems once reserved for high-dollar luxury cars are now available on most models. They all allow drivers to manipulate vehicle systems and functions without breaking their attention.

Here are a few of the most important top features that keep drivers focused.

Rain-Sensing Wipers: At any sign of precipitation on the vehicle's windshield, rain-sensing wipers kick into action and adjust their speed constantly in response to the level of precipitation and how fast the vehicle is moving. Whether it's snow, ice or freezing rain, rain-sensing wipers leave drivers with one less thing to think about when the weather turns nasty. Look for rain-sensing wipers in the Mazda3, Mitsubishi RVR and many others.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

Steering-Wheel Mounted Controls: More cars than ever offer steering-wheel mounted controls as standard equipment. By putting controls for phone, cruise control, audio systems and even climate control on the face of the steering wheel, drivers can control many functions without having to look down or move their hands -- definitely a top feature that keeps drivers focused.

Bluetooth: This wireless communication system is now standard (or available as an option) in virtually every vehicle sold in Canada. Bluetooth puts the kibosh on driver distraction related to using a cell phone on the move. After a brief pairing procedure, hands-free phone calls can be placed, accepted or dismissed via voice command and/or a single steering-wheel mounted button. If you're delayed by a snowstorm, Bluetooth allows you to safely call ahead and tell the family you'll be late without pulling over or handling your handset.

Automatic Climate Control: This top feature that keeps drivers focused s all about staying comfortable, which is a good way to avoid the stress caused by driving in lousy weather. Automatic climate control makes it easy. The system uses a sensor to constantly watch cabin temperatures and make adjustments in real time to maintain a preset temperature. Your comfort is maintained for you automatically as you keep both hands on the wheel.

Automatic Lights: Simple concept, this one: When it gets dark, the headlights turn on, all by themselves. Forget accidentally driving around with just the running lamps, which is dangerous. Set the controls to AUTO, and you'll have optimal visibility at all times. Best of all, since automatic lights turn off when you leave the car you'll never come back to a dead battery in the middle of winter, either. Some models, like the Chrysler 300 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, even have automatic high-beams, definitely a top feature that keeps drivers focused.

Voice Command: Not long ago, voice command was the stuff of sci-fi movies. Today, you can find this top feature that keeps drivers focused in cars like the Honda Civic, Kia Rio and Dodge Dart. In most applications, voice command allows drivers to simply touch a button and say, for instance, “Radio, 92.4 FM,” “Navigate Home” or “Call Mom.” Hundreds of vehicle functions can be controlled with your voice, furhter enhancing the driver's focus on the road and, therefore, his safety.

On January 15th, 2013, the all-new 2014 Lexus IS will make its global debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The third generation of this premium compact sedan is said to draw inspiration from the LFA supercar and LF-CC concept.

Lexus provided no further information in its press release, so we'll have to wait until the NAIAS to find out how the Lexus IS plans to compete with the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 in the near future.

Lexus LF-CC (Photo: Lexus)

From BMW press release

BMW Motorsport returned to the DTM in 2012 after almost 20 years away, and the results in its comeback year exceeded all expectations. Canadian driver Bruno Spengler won the drivers' title, BMW Team Schnitzer finished in top spot in the teams' standings, and BMW claimed the manufacturers' honours.

Photo: BMW

BMW M GmbH is celebrating this success with the unveiling of the BMW M3 DTM Champion Edition. Mimicking the looks of Spengler's M3 DTM car, this special-edition model is available exclusively in Frozen Black metallic, while the carbon flaps and gurney, various dark chrome elements, matt black wheels and sections of the race car's livery also betray its close links with the triumphant BMW M3 DTM.

The theme is continued by the BMW M stripe design over the CFRP roof and boot lid, BMW M logo to the rear of the front wheel arches and decals in the rear side windows. Inside the car, the door sill strips replicate Spengler's helmet design and the carbon-fibre interior trim strip bears the newly crowned champion's signature and the car's serial number.

The special-edition model also contains various exclusive interior additions, such as the Alcantara® steering wheel, handbrake lever embroidered with “M Power” lettering, and extended black Novillo leather trim with features in contrasting Palladium Silver.

Photo: BMW

Technical elements like the Competition package, M Drive, M DCT Drivelogic and the M Driver's Package underline the car's focus on high performance. Equipment including the Professional navigation system, heated seats and Park Distance Control add more “everyday” ingredients to the model.

BMW M is also offering the 54 new custodians of the BMW M3 DTM Champion Edition - which will be available in various international markets - a very special extra. Owners of this automotive rarity will have the chance to attend the BMW M Fascination Nordschleife driver training course under the watchful eye of Bruno Spengler.

Photo: BMW

One of the most coveted elements of the BMW Driving Experience programme, the course is held on the Nürburgring's legendary Nordschleife track, where BMW M cars are put through extremely exacting testing sessions and final chassis tuning is carried out.

The BMW M3 DTM Champion Edition will be built at BMW's Regensburg plant and the BMW M GmbH factory from February 2013. Prices in Germany start from €99,000.00 including VAT ($104,000 no taxes).

Photo: BMW

Photo: BMW

Photo: BMW

Back in September, Chrysler issued a recall on more than 15,000 Dodge Dakota and Ram 1500 pickup trucks from the 2009-2010 model years due to a rear axle pinion nut that may have been incorrectly manufactured and could loosen.

Dodge Dakota. (Photo: Dodge)

Some owners across the country have since reported a noise which could be heard just prior to the failure. Transport Canada is therefore seeking information from the public concerning possible safety issues or incidents.

Dodge RAM 1500. (Photo: Dodge)

The government will continue to examine the possible relevance of this issue for vehicles manufactured outside the aforementioned time period. For specific information about this road safety recall, please visit Transport Canada recall 2012-327 or call 1-800-333-0510.

Mercedes-Benz Canada has just issued a recall on 10,242 smart fortwos from the 2005-2006 model years.

On certain vehicles, corrosion and/or dust accumulation may affect the driver and passenger door latches and cause the latch pawl to stick. If this occurs, the door will not latch when shut and will remain unsecured.

Photo: Smart

Mercedes-Benz Canada dealers will therefore replace the door latches with a modified version.

Source: Transports Canada

The significantly redesigned 2014 Kia Sorento made its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, offering a new chassis, V6 engine and interior look.

Scheduled to hit the market in the first quarter of 2013, the 2014 Kia Sorento adds a top-of-the-line trim level called SX Limited (later availability). It also sports a lower, broader appearance up front and a visually wider stance at the rear. LEDs at both ends enhance its bold new exterior, too.

Kia Sorento 2014. (Photo: Kia)

Under the hood is a 2.4L four-cylinder Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine that produces 191 horsepower or, optionally, a new 3.3L GDI V6 rated at 290 horsepower.

Pricing will be announced later.