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Pictures 16 Oct, 2012

Following the market launch of its heavy-duty trucks two weeks ago, Daimler Trucks subsidiary Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has now started production of medium-duty trucks (9 and 12 tons).

European new-car sales plunged the most in almost two years, with Renault and Fiat posting the steepest declines, as the region's sovereign-debt crisis led to reduced demand in Germany, its largest economy.

Driveline and aerospace supplier GKN said demand since it announced half year results in July has "remained broadly in line with expectations with more challenging European automotive and industrial markets being offset by strong automotive demand in the US and China and continued growth in civil aerospace".

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British partsmaker GKN said a sluggish European automotive market weighed on third quarter profit and that a continued slump could impact the group for the remainder of the year.

Fisker Automotive aims to start production of its second model in late 2014 or 2015, at least two years later than initially planned.

BMW opened its first dealership in Beijing yesterday that is designated for its Mini brand as demand for luxury cars in the world's biggest auto market increases.

Volkswagen plans to expand its lineup of SUVs with two new models in the coming years as part of a goal of overtaking GM and Toyota in deliveries. One of the new models will be bigger than the Tiguan SUV to appeal to U.S.

Battery maker A123 Systems for U.S. bankruptcy protection on Tuesday. A123 listed total assets of $459.8 million and liabilities of $376 million in its Chapter 11 petition.

Last year was very successful for the biggest suppliers to automakers in Europe. Overall, 2011 sales in Europe by suppliers in the top 30 increased 19 percent to $180.6 billion from $151.

One might argue that France's automakers are the sick men of Europe. Beset with a stagnant home market, excess production capacity and costly payrolls, they are struggling to fend off opportunistic rivals such as Volkswagen and Hyundai-Kia.

Last year was very successful for the biggest suppliers to automakers in Europe. Overall, 2011 sales in Europe by suppliers in the top 30 increased 19 percent to $180.6 billion from $151.

One might argue that France's automakers are the sick men of Europe. Beset with a stagnant home market, excess production capacity and costly payrolls, they are struggling to fend off opportunistic rivals such as Volkswagen and Hyundai-Kia.

Renault and Nissan said they aim to double annual cost savings from their alliance within four years, while denying a Reuters report that they're reviewing their cross-shareholdings. "We have an internal goal of 4 billion euros ($5.

The Scuderia Ferrari has confirmed Brazilian driver Felipe Massa for the 2013 season.

In a straight-to-the-point, 41-word press release, Ferrari said:

“Scuderia Ferrari announces that it has renewed its contract with the driver Felipe Massa to the end of the 2013 race season. The Scuderia's driver line-up for next year is therefore made up of Fernando Alonso and the aforementioned Felipe Massa”.

So now the quiz is: who will take his place at the end of the 2013 season?

Felipe Massa in Korea. (Photo: Ferrari)

UPDATE
“I am very happy to have reached this agreement,” commented the Brazilian in a report posted on the official Ferrari web site.

“Ferrari is my racing family and throughout my entire time in Formula 1, I have always driven cars powered by engines built in Maranello: I can't see myself driving cars propelled by anything else! First and foremost, I want to thank President Montezemolo and Stefano Domenicali, who had faith in me and who have always supported me, even at the most difficult moments. The team and also all the fans can rest assured that I will do all in my power to help the Scuderia reach the targets it sets itself each year.”

The satisfaction is also clear from the comments of Stefano Domenicali, who on Sunday at the Yeongam circuit already lets slip that things were heading towards a confirmation.

“We are pleased to have extended our relationship with Felipe for a further year,” declared the Team Principal. “He has been part of our family for over a decade and has shown, expecially in this recent part of the season, that he is once again competitive at the highest level, which is what is expected of every driver who gets behind the wheel of a Ferrari. We have always supported Felipe, even in the most difficult moments of his career and we are certain of his worth and are sure he will know how to repay the confidence this renewal proves we have in him.”

We are slowly approaching the end of 2012 - the year that marks the 30th anniversary of the tragic loss of Ferrari Formula 1 driver Gilles Villeneuve at the circuit of Zolder, Belgium on May 8, 1982.

Gilles Villeneuve in the Ferrari 312 T3 in 1978. (Photo: Ferrari)

Here is a first set of rarely seen photos of his brilliant career, from his beginnings in the Formula Ford 1600 series in Canada to his glory days in Formula 1.

Gilles Villeneuve in the Magnum Formula Ford car. (Photo: Lucie St-Jacques)

In Formula Atlantic in 1977. (Personal collection René Fagnan)

With Ronnie Peterson at Mosport for a sedan race with BMW. (Photo: Guy Blellerive)

Driving a Camaro alongside Mo Carter at the 24 Hours of Daytona. (Photo: Guy Bellerive)

Firsts tests of the Ferrari 312 T3 at Fiorano. (Photo: Ferrari)

Jean-Pierre St-Jacques, Gilles Villeneuve and Joan. (Photo: Lucie St-Jacques)

During the Race of Champions, in 1978, at Brands Hatch. (Photo: Ferrari)

Gilles Villeneuve, Joan and Mauro Forghieri. (Photo: WRI2)

The 2013 Lexus CT 200h is now on sale across Canada with a base price of $31,450.

''The Lexus CT 200h introduced Canadians to a new interpretation of luxury - as the world's first sportback luxury hybrid, it's urban, advanced, and progressive,'' said Cyril Dimitris, Director of Lexus in Canada. ''For 2013, we're pleased to offer our guests the Lexus CT 200h, plus a choice of four available options packages, including the performance-focused F SPORT Edition.''

Offering best-in-class fuel economy (combined 4.6L/100km), the 2013 Lexus CT 200h is powered by an advanced and proven Lexus Hybrid Drive system, which combines a 1.8L four-cylinder gasoline engine with a high-torque electric drive motor for 134 net horsepower.

Four drive modes can be selected by the driver including Normal, Sport, ECO, and EV. The latter allows the CT 200h to operate for short distances on battery power alone.

Safety is covered by eight standard airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, ventilated disc brakes with ABS, brake assist, stability and traction control, among other features.

From GMM

A London grand prix is unlikely because the government is not willing to support it.

That is the admission of Bernie Ecclestone, who told F1 business journalist Christian Sylt that he is prepared to make "a large contribution" towards organising a street race in the British capital.

But the F1 chief executive is quoted by cityam.com: "I don't think the government would be prepared to put the required amount of money behind it."

That is despite the 81-year-old being apparently willing to "help the government and council with their costs".

Photo: Santander