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Tyre maker Goodyear said third quarter 2012 sales were down 13% to $5.3bn as a result of tyre sales down $592m and $258m in foreign currency costs. Tyre unit volume slipped 12% to 41.8m due mainly to weaker sales in Europe.

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne set a target in 2010 to sell 6 million cars annually by 2014, a goal that analysts judged impossible to achieve. They were right.

Ford Motor Co. hopes capacity cuts in Europe will make the company profitable there by the middle of the decade.

A Mitt Romney White House could reverse Obama administration support for higher fuel-economy standards and electric vehicles. If the son of former American Motors chief George Romney defeats President Obama on Nov.

Richard Bustillo, general manager of Rick Case Honda in Davie, Fla., believes Facebook has finally cracked the code to help dealerships sell vehicles and service.

The redesigned 2013 Nissan Sentra that went on sale this month represents a change in strategy for Nissan North America. Nissan now wants to put the Sentra dead center in the high-volume heart of the market

In promoting Doug Murtha, Scion now has a laid-back, 46-year-old Angeleno whose Toyota career has focused on product planning, mostly involving Japan-sourced vehicles.

Connected-vehicle technology is meant to bring a dramatic reduction in traffic fatalities by helping drivers avoid the types of crashes that most often cause them: collisions in intersections, or while changing lanes, or rear-ending stopped cars.

Chrysler Group plans to bring key suppliers in early on product-development projects and de-emphasize competitive bidding, said Scott Kunselman, the automaker's new purchasing chief. With the new approach, which is common at Honda Motor Co.

There's no Blue Book value for pigs, cows or maple syrup. But Gardner Stone has taken all of those as trade-ins from customers of his Ford and GMC dealership in rural Vermont. He boldly claims the business, G.

Nissan hopes to offer a wireless charging system as an accessory with the 2015 Infiniti LE electric sedan, which is scheduled to hit the market in about 18 months.

Footage from the Nissan GranDrive demonstration facility in Oppama, Japan, shows the technology in action with a Nissan LEAF, which shares its platform with the Infiniti LE. It even teams up with an automatic parking location system that uses Nissan's AroundView Monitor to position the car precisely over the charging pad without the driver having to steer.

The 2015 Infiniti LE will be built at the Smyrna assembly plant in Tennessee alongside the Nissan LEAF.

Source: Green Car Reports

Every little boy's dream is finally coming true with the launch of the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Edition -- the first time a full-size production Hot Wheels car has been offered for sale by any manufacturer.



''Millions of us grew up playing with Hot Wheels,'' said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing. ''Offering a special production model of the Camaro Hot Wheels is an opportunity to bring those memories to life, for kids of all ages.''

Unveiled today at the 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Edition will make fans drool with striking metallic paint, 21'' black wheels featuring a red outline stripe, two-tone matte graphic on the hood, ''blackout'' graphic on the rear taillight panel, ''flame'' graphics on the fenders, and Hot Wheels logos on the front grille and rear decklid.

The base LT model uses a 3.6L V6 engine that produces 323 horsepower, while the higher-end SS comes with a 6.2L V8 that cranks out either 400 or 426 horsepower depending on the transmission.

In the U.S., the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Edition will require a premium of $6,995 over the regular Camaro when it arrives in showrooms early next year -- stunt track sold separately.

Canadian availability remains unknown.

Photo: Chevrolet

Whether or not he resigned or was invited to step down, IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard has tended his resignation but, apparently, will remain on board in an advisory role.

The announcement was made following a special meeting of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation board of directors on Sunday.

This conclusion comes after months of rumors about Bernard's future with the series which started sometimes last summer when the former IndyCar CEO tweeted that some owners were trying to have him replaced.

That situation took an expected turn last week when some media stated that Bernard had been fired amidst rumours that Tony George was about to buy the Indycar Series.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and CEO Jeff Belskus will serve as IndyCar's interim CEO.

Despite a generally satisfactory performance since he took over in March 2010, Bernard's power base weakened over the past six months.

The cost of spare parts for the new car, decreasing television ratings as well as some promoters growing unhappy with the fact that Bernard cut prices to convince some oval tracks to join the schedule are among the topics that made the former CEO unpopular with owners.

Currently third in the Formula 1 Driver's World Championship, former F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen seems to have silenced the critics during his comeback season in Grand Prix racing. Today, the Finn has renewed his contract and is looking for more with Lotus in 2013.

The Finn, who contested the last two seasons competing in the FIA World Rally Championship in a Citroen, quickly proved that he has not lost his touch behind the wheel of an F1 car.

“I think there were a few people who had doubts about how I would perform after being away for a while. Personally, I didn't feel I stopped racing at all,” Raikkonen declared.

Kimi Raikkonen (Photo: Lotus)

And he said he really feels at home with the Lotus team.

“I have been very happy with the team; how they work, how they approach the races and how they invest in developing the car,” Raikkonen added.

“I think with the progress behind the scenes at Enstone we could be fighting for the podium even more often next year and also be able to make a stronger challenge for the Championship. My motivation is as strong as it's always been. I'm keen to race on,” he said.

Lotus team boss, Eric Boullier, said that Raikkonen has started to give his inputs about the new, 2013 E21 car.

“This year has been a good platform to put down strong foundations for what will hopefully be an even better season next time around. We know what we need to do to improve in some important areas, which should help us get even better results next year. All in all, I'm looking forward to carrying on working with the team to achieve more good things in 2013,” Raikkonen said.

His main objective for next year is to qualify better than he did this season.

“Of course, the main thing is to do my very best every time, every weekend, every race. I think to be able to perform better in the races I have to find more from myself and from the car in qualifying. This season has shown that you have to be on the first two rows to be able to win every time. It's important to improve our grid positions for 2013. That's one of main targets for me,” Raikkonen concluded.

The ever-popular Dodge crossover is back for 2013. The Journey is available in six variations: the CVP, SE Plus, SXT, Crew, R/T AWD, and R/T Rallye AWD.

Its affordable purchase price and multiple configurations make the 2013 Dodge Journey an obvious choice when deciding on which crossover to purchase. Dodge added a number of neat features to the already generous offering, such as a heated steering wheel on the Crew and R/T versions. Non-winter additions include, among others, a ''Max A/C'' function designed to cool down the passenger compartment in record time.


However, Dodge engineer weren't only interested in temperature-related items. In order to keep things rolling, a considerable number of wheel and tire options were added to the lineup. The CVP (Canadian Value Package) now comes with standard 17'' alloy wheels although an optional 17'' steel-wheel and wheel cover package is available. The SXT version is shod with 17'' Tech silver alloy wheels.

The engineers paid particular attention to the instrument cluster, a neat “real-time travel update” option is part of the clever new electronic cluster on the 2013 Dodge Journey. The new “instant” fuel consumption feature is enhanced with a coloured graph design.

MSRP for the 2013 Dodge Journey CVP starts at $21,495 for the base 4-cylinder 2.4L 173 horsepower engine which is mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. It comes with standard five-passenger seating and optional third-row seat that creates room for seven. This option is identical for the entire lineup.

The SE Plus is quite similar to the CVP. For a $22,495 MSRP you get tinted glass, leather steering wheel and shifter knob, a retractable cargo cover, body-coloured outside rear-view mirrors and LED taillights.

The 2013 Dodge Journey SXT comes with little extras such as an onboard computer, overhead console, fog lamps, and an anti-theft alarm. The 2.4L engine is standard in the SXT for 2013, and an optional 3.6L 283 horsepower engine is available. MSRP starts at $24,695.

The Dodge Journey Crew comes standard with the V6, 19'' alloy wheels, Uconnect with an 8.4” touchscreen, heated front seats, power-assisted driver seat, and remote starter. MSRP is $28,595.

The R/T AWD version of the 2013 Dodge Journey is equipped with standard all-wheel drive, leather seats, and sport suspension. The R/T Rallye AWD adds 19” satin carbon aluminum wheels, a firmer power-steering option, and perforated-leather seats. Prices are $31,595 and $ 32,595 respectively.

The 2013 Dodge Journey comes in a vast array of configurations and options. Consumers have more choices and competitive packages than ever before to choose from.

Photo: Dodge

The circle of life dictates that death follows life and vice versa. The current 5th generation Ford Mustang has been around since 2005, and was therefore called upon to pass.

The 6th gen car promises to be quite the departure from what we've come to love as the retro-cool ‘Stang that harks back to a time when life was simpler -- those days are over.

The coming of the next Mustang signifies that special editions (such as our favourite Boss 302 and the most awesome Shelby GT500) will shortly be no more. If you recall, the past held many wild Mustangs like the Bullitt, the GT-H, the GT-500 KR, and a few others. As you know, they're all gone.

As the saying goes: “The king is dead; long live the king.” The next Ford Mustang, expected for the 2015 model year (this could mean that the car will be around in as little as a year) will also be offered in various special trims. This we can guarantee.

Given the direction that Ford seems to be taking with the next Mustang, you and I should expect it to be all killer, no filler.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

It appears that the fuel tank outlet flange on certain 2010-2011 Jaguar XF sedans could crack and cause a leak. In the presence of an ignition source, this could result in a fire.

Therefore, Jaguar Canada dealers will replace the fuel tank outlet flange on the 367 affected units.

Source: Transports Canada

Photo: Jaguar

Produced in 150 copies, the new 2013 BMW M3 Coupe Frozen Limited Edition will be available in a choice of frozen exterior finishes including Frozen Red, Frozen White and Frozen Blue. All will sport black Novillo leather with contrasting stitching to match the exterior colour.

The 2013 BMW M3 Coupe Frozen Limited Edition will come standard with 19'' matte black wheels, Electronic Damper Control (EDC), a 6-speed manual transmission, a 10 mm lowered suspension, and a carbon fibre roof panel, among other features.

Buyers will be able to customize their M3 Coupe Frozen Limited Edition with options such as an M dual-clutch transmission, a moonroof, heated front seats, and satellite radio with 1-year subscription.

The 2013 BMW M3 Coupe Frozen Limited Edition will enter production in January before going on sale in the U.S. at $76,395. However, similar to the BMW 6 Series Frozen Silver Edition, it's not scheduled to come to Canada.

Photo: BMW

From Renault Sport

Sebastian Vettel's win for Red Bull Racing at the Grand Prix of India brought the total of Renault-engined wins in Formula 1 to 150. The manufacturer is third in the overall standings, only 16 behind the legendary Ford/Cosworth DFV.

Renault entered F1 in 1977 as a constructor and has achieved success in both this capacity and as an engine supplier. After making its debut at Silverstone in July 1977, it secured its first win in France in 1979, and has achieved wins with every type of engine fielded, with wins shared by the 1.5-litre V6 turbo, the 3.5 and 3.0-litre V10s, and the current 2.4-litre V8.

Photo: Renault Sport

Renault Wins 1979-2012
By engine
1.5 litres V6 Turbo : 20 victories
3.5 litres V10 : 38 victories
3.0 litres V10 : 47 victories
2.4 litres V8 : 45 victories

Jean-Pierre Menrath, head of dyno testing remembers the maiden victory of a Renault engine in Formula 1, back with Jean-Pierre Jabouille at the 1979 Grand Prix of France at Dijon-Prenois.

“The first races of 1979 had been disastrous for Renault: in seven races with two cars we had had 12 DNFs and zero points. This is why our management at the time, Gérard Larousse, managing director, and François Castaing, technical director, ordered two test sessions at Dijon. They wanted to create a winning mentality in a company that doubted its own ability.

These private tests went well but still no one knew where we would be on the grid. Then, on Saturday July 2nd, our two cars were there, on the front row, ahead of everyone. Everyone knows the story of the race - Jean-Pierre Jabouille made a good start and had a relatively trouble-free race, no refuelling, no tire change, no telemetry - just a huge amount of stress in the garage as we watched the laps go past... increasing each lap!

Jean-Pierre Jabouille, Renault. (Photo: WRI2)

Finally we made it and the feeling was indescribable: a huge wave of joy and happiness and the feeling of having achieved something exceptional: the first win for a turbo engine, the first win for a road car manufacturer in F1 and the first win for Renault.

After the race, as if to say ‘don't take anything for granted', our friend Ken Tyrrell lodged a protest that our engine wasn't legal. Some of the English were convinced that we had put a two litre Le Mans engine in there instead of a 1,500cm3 F1 engine! We must have done, otherwise, how could we have been that quick?

The FIA made us strip the engine, still warm in the car, to check the cylinder head. We had to remove it as their checks weren't designed for such a small engine... which was obviously legal after all that!”

Adapted from GMM

Sebastien Buemi on Sunday had a meeting with Sahara Force India officials, but Vijay Mallya on Monday suggested Adrian Sutil is a possible contender to replace Nico Hulkenberg in 2013.

Vijay Mallya, the Silverstone based team's co-owner and boss, said he is not certain German Hulkenberg is switching to Sauber.

"I hear from the media that Nico has signed with Sauber. He hasn't sat down with me and told me that," Vijay Mallya is quoted by the Indian Express.

But if Nico Hulkenberg does go, Mallya is confident he will not be difficult to replace.

Adrian Sutil, former Force India driver. (Photo: WRi2)

"Yes absolutely, why not? Never forget I always have the potential of considering Sutil again. Sutil is always quick. So there are many options," he said.

On his end, Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko seemed to confirm the possibility Sebastien Buemi is in with a shot of the Sahara Force India cockpit.

Sebastien Buemi, Toyota Racing driver. (Photo: WRi2)

"If Buemi doesn't go to Force India," he is quoted by the Swiss newspaper Blick, "then we want to keep him. He might also do the (sports car) endurance world championship with Toyota."

Who to believe? We should know more in the coming weeks.