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Faurecia has signed an industrial partnership agreement with Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation to co-develop bioplastics designed for mass-production for use in automotive interiors.

Italy joined France and Spain in reporting a monthly drop in new-car sales in October as deliveries fell 12.3 percent to 116,875 vehicles.

Call this the gathering of cars you're amazed even started. Yet, there were over 300 of them by 11:00 a.m., spread all over the lawn and under the trees in Woodley Park in Van Nuys, Calif. for the annual

Heated and cooled seat specialist Gentherm, formerly Amerigon, has unveiled third quarter net income attributable to common shareholders of US$2.6m.

Toyota has posted first half fiscal year results from April to September with net income rising to JPY548.2bn (US$6.9bn), sales up by nearly 1.5m units and revenue soaring 36%.

Toyota raised its full-year net profit forecast by 2.6 percent to 780 billion yen ($9.7 billion) after July-September net profit more than tripled to 257.9 billion yen on solid vehicle sales in North America and Southeast Asia.

Alan Mulally will stay Ford Motor Co. CEO at least through 2014. Joe Hinrichs (pictured) will return from the Asia Pacific Africa region to head Ford's business in the Americas. Oh, yeah, and Mark Fields is Ford's COO.

Honda Motor Co. President Takanobu Ito expects the subcompact Fit hatchback to be Honda's fastest-growing nameplate in North America over the next four years.

Nissan Motor Co. CEO Carlos Ghosn says the company will need another assembly plant in North America within five years -- after it reaches his goal of taking 10 percent of the U.S. market.

Hyundai and Kia built their reputations with high-mpg vehicles in the past few years. But much of that marketing sparkle went poof last week.

Insurance checks cut in November and December are expected to help automakers and dealers more than make up for the sales that Hurricane Sandy wiped out at the end of October.

Like a lot of other car company honchos, former Lexus and Toyota executive Dave Illingworth wanted to become a dealer. So in the thick of the recession he opened Toyota of Warsaw, a new store in Warsaw, Ind., population 13,500.

Toyota is studying whether to keep the hybrid line's aerodynamic wedge-shape as the automaker designs the next-generation car, due to arrive in the spring of 2014.

GM is spending more than $5 billion to transform its dealership network. But not all of that cash is going toward shiny tile and silver exterior cladding.

From GMM

Bruno Senna has denied his concerns about the future are contributing to a loss of form towards the end of the 2012 season.

Although finishing eighth in Abu Dhabi, the Brazilian qualified an awful fifteenth on Saturday and, early in the race, got caught up in a first lap incident.

"It was a very tough weekend," he said.

Bruno Senna, Williams, in Abu Dhabi. (Photo: WRi2)

It is reported that Williams opted against taking up the automatic 2013 'option' in Senna's existing contract.

The British team appears likely to pair Pastor Maldonado with Finnish rookie Valtteri Bottas next year, leaving Senna's backers in talks with Caterham and Force India.

Asked by Brazil's TV Globo if the uncertainty over his future is affecting him on the track, Senna answered: "You don't think about it. I'm thinking only about what is happening at the race weekend, from a technical point of view."

After making an quiet return to rally in Italy, Robert Kubica, the Renault F1 driver who's been badly injured in a rally, is now set to move up a gear by choosing to compete in two rallies in a Citroen C4 WRC this November.

Following a prolonged period away from motorsport to heal his injuries, the Polish driver gradually began driving again before returning to competitive action.

After claiming two wins in Italy in September behidn the wheel of a Subaru Impreza WRC, the obvious choice was for him to decide to move up another step by driving a Citroën C4 WRC at the Rally di Como and the Rallye du Var.

“I can't wait to drive a car that is as quick and has been as successful as the C4 WRC,” enthused Robert Kubica on the Citoen web site.

Citroen C4 WRC. (Photo: Citroen Racing)

“Rallying is one of my favourite forms of motorsport. After completing a test session so that I can get used to the car, competing in the Rally di Como will above all be an opportunity to get to a feel for the car and learn more about driving it in racing conditions. The objective will be different for the Rallye du Var. This will be the third time I have taken part, so it's a rally with which I am already familiar and where I feel comfortable. And although first and foremost I want to rack up as many miles as possible and improve in the category!” he added.

Stage one is therefore due to be held in Erba in the north of Italy on 15-17 November. The rally will feature 126 kilometres of timed stages on roads around Lake Como: a perfect warm-up for the following weekend's event, the Rallye du Var, the eighth and final round of the French tarmac Rally Championship.

Along with its Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse siblings, the 2013 GMC Acadia receives its first significant face-lift since its introduction in 2007.


The 2013 GMC Acadia is the mid-point classwise, and is also meant to be the more rugged looking, larger CUV in GM's trio. For the 2013 model year, the front fascia garners the most attention with a bolder grille and headlights that feature LED signature lighting, and it also grabs new 18” to 20” wheels.

The rear receives likewise LED-accented tail lights, integrated into revised rear quarters with flow-through exhaust outlets.

The cabin is equally updated with new gauges, a redesigned center console replete with features such as touch-activated climate control, and new soft-touch materials.

A redesigned center console replete with features.(Photo: GMC)

The Denali version of the 2013 GMC Acadia returns as the top model with a power tilt and telescoping leather and wood-grain steering wheel, contrast stitching on gorgeous unique Cocoa Dune leather and an eight-way power passenger seat.

On the powertrain front, the 2013 GMC Acadia sports the same 288 hp 3.6L V6 and 6-speed automatic transmission as the pre-face-lifted model. Front- and all-wheel-drive versions are offered.

Safety features are numerous in the new Acadia as it will be equipped with seven airbags including an industry-first Centre Side Airbag, the Cross-Traffic Alert System, and Head-up Display. Traction and electronic stability control systems are obviously standard.

The 2013 GMC Acadia Denali is scheduled to arrive in Canada at the end of 2012. Final pricing should be available later this year.

The 2013 GS is proof that Lexus is trying to shed its old-man appeal. The question is: Will it tempt the younger crowds? Possibly, however it won't happen overnight. This thought swirled in my head the whole time I was with this car.

The GS has held the designer beacon for Lexus from the moment it arrived in showrooms very early in the '90s. In actuality, the first generation of the car was designed by the famed Giugiaro. That pretty much seals my comment.


Nice body!
There's no doubt in my mind that the new 2013 Lexus GS 350 is the styling winner among all four-door Lexus cars and SUVs. Be it in profile or head-on, the GS sports striking lines previously reserved for essentially all other brands. Conscientious of the fact that looks play a monumental part in the selection process, Lexus -- I can only imagine -- let loose the team that designed the LFA supercar and mixed them amongst the others in order to create this car.

My tested 2013 GS 350 AWD, draped in Fire Agate Pearl, was handsome enough, but most of the design efforts went into creating the F-Sport Package which further enhances the GS' street cred. Beside the LFA and IS F, it is the most dynamically styled of the Lexus brethren.

On this front, the 2013 Lexus GS 350 is well equipped to tackle competition from Germany.

Smooth and powerful operator
Concealed beneath the slopping bonnet is the only internal combustion engine fitted to the 2013 Lexus GS. The 3.5L V6 is at its healthiest in the GS, pumping out 306 hp at 6,400 rpm and 277 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm. One step up from here is the GS 450h's version which, with the help of Lexus' Hybrid Drive system, further boosts output to 338 hp.

In the non-hybrid 2013 Lexus GS 350, the transmission is a well-geared 6-speed autobox that sends the power to the rear or all four wheels. Because the AWD system is rear-wheel drive biased, the 2013 Lexus GS can be piloted energetically thanks to the favourable dynamics provide by RWD and the added safety and traction afforded by the front wheels.

Although doing without the F-Sport package's sport-tuned Adaptive Variable Suspension with electronically modulated damping, the GS' standard fully independent suspension managed to keep all four wheels in constant communicative contact with the road's surface.

Other than the aforementioned IS F and LFA, the basic 2013 GS is the sportiest Lexus of the entire lineup. Steering provides, for a Lexus, a well judged mixture of information and isolation from road imperfections. The four-wheel vented discs do a masterful job of keeping situations under control despite the 2013 Lexus GS 350 AWD's hefty 1,765 kg (3,970 lb) girth and ability to get up to speed quickly.

The 3.5L V6 is at its healthiest in the GS, pumping out 306 hp at 6,400 rpm and 277 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Sumptuously sporty
When Lexus redesigned the 2013 GS, they had performance and styling in mind. They did very well on both accounts.

The cabin's visual impact is just as big as the sheet metal's. Once the doors are opened, passengers are greeted by rich, two-tone, 18-way power adjustable premium leather seats and a gorgeous woodgrain and leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel.

Controls are on the small side, but their textures and weight are very high end. The optional 12.3” LCD display is huge and features lovely graphics, however, the user experience is marred by Lexus' Remote Touch user-interface system. The mouse-like controller is awkward and requires far too much concentration in order to be properly used.

Be that as it may, I loved the large heated and vented front seats. They are intent on keeping their occupants sane even on the longest road trip. The rear bench is best suited for two, while the trunk is somewhat snug given the overall size of the car. A pair of golf bags are all one will be able to squeeze in.

The final note on the cabin belongs to the excellent -- nay -- mind-blowing, superb Mark Levinson Surround Sound Audio System. This 835-Watt 17-speaker boom box was created specifically for the 2013 Lexus GS 350 and it sounds as fantastic to humans as an electric can opener sounds to a hungry cat. Lexus has figured out the ideal combination of comfort and entertainment. Bravo.

When Lexus redesigned the 2013 GS, they had performance and styling in mind. They did very well on both accounts. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Pricing the competition
The base RWD 2013 Lexus GS 350 has a sticker price of $51,900. When compared to a 2013 BMW 528i at $54,500, it seems like a great deal if only because of its extra power. The catch is that a recently tested BMW 528i xDrive ($56,900) returned an abuse-burdened average of 9.5L/100 km while the GS 350 AWD ($54,900) managed no better than 11.5L, and I was kind. This may or may not be important to the potential buyer.

With the Infiniti M now having completely lost its way, the Lexus GS is now the only viable alternative to the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class. Its design is spot-on, while luxury bounds. It's worth being considered.

From GMM

Kimi Raikkonen returned to the winner's circle in Abu Dhabi in his inimitable style.

Once derided for being robotic and shy, the 2007 world champion is now widely loved for being the 'iceman' -- a nickname dreamed up by the press but now tattooed with pride on the Lotus driver's forearm.

On Sunday, after scotching the view that F1 comebacks cannot be successful by driving to victory, he had scolded his engineer mid-race for talking in his ear about the gap to second place.

"Just leave me alone," he said. "I know what I'm doing."

Lotus F1 Team celebrating Kimi Raikkonen's victory. (Photo: WRi2)

Afterwards, he was asked on the podium by his former McLaren teammate David Coulthard to let the world in on his emotions.

"Not much, really," said 33-year-old Raikkonen. "Last time you guys (the media) were giving me shit because I didn't smile enough, so maybe this time (you will) again."

Later, he told another reporter: "Like I said, I'm happy, but there's nothing to jump around about."

Kimi Raikkonen admitted, however, that despite drinking rose water on the no-alcohol Arab podium, he would find somewhere else to celebrate later on Sunday.

Asked 'how many days' he will dedicate to celebrating the win, he answered: "As long as I manage to get myself to the next race I think the team is happy."

And when told it was the first time a 'Lotus' had won a grand prix since Ayrton Senna in 1987, Raikkonen was completely unsentimental.

"It's a name," he said. "It's the same team since Fernando (Alonso) was there (as Renault), just a different name. It's a great name for us, (a) good past but you know I race for the team whatever the name is, I don't really care."

According to reports, IndyCar team HVM Racing is looking at the possibility of entering the FIA World Endurance Championship for the 2013 season, if all goes according to plan.

Even though the team has parted ways with Simona de Silvestro, who has just signed on to join KV Racing for the 2013 IZOD IndyCar season, the team would like to be back in the open-wheel series but it is still waiting for the resolution of the contract with the failed Lotus engine program.

It appears for now that HVM Racing cannot be guaranteed that it could obtain engines from either Chevrolet or Honda.

Additionally, the team primary sponsor Nuclear Clean Energy has also moved on and joined KV Racing; leaving the squad without financial backing for the time being.

Besides contemplating joining the WEC, Keith Wiggins, HVM Racing owner, is also looking at joining the American Le Mans Series.

Wiggins said he's currently in discussions with drivers for the LMP2 effort, which embraces a Pro-Am class format of at least one FIA Bronze or Silver-graded pilot for each car.

As far as the car choice goes, the team is evaluating all options, including offerings from Lola, which Wiggins, a former president of Lola Cars International, still has close ties to.