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The UK automotive supply chain could win GBP3bn of additional new business in the UK, according to country's Automotive Council.

New vehicle sales in the Philippines jumped by 26.1% to 14,503 units in July, compared with 11,504 units a year earlier, according to data released by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc (CAMPI).

Pictures 10 Aug, 2012

The French government has appointed a special advisor to probe PSA's plans to eliminate 8,000 jobs and close a car plant in France.

Renault's South Korean unit said it will launch a voluntary redundancy program, its first ever, as it grapples with slumping sales both at home and abroad.

UK engineering company GKN plans invest over 12 million pounds ($18.8 million) to support its role as a supplier to automotive brands such as Jaguar Land Rover, Toyota and Nissan.

Smart's sales have been rising since Mercedes-Benz took over the brand more than a year ago, but not fast enough. So the minicar brand will continue to tinker with new trims, wraps and accessories until its new vehicles begin to arrive in 2014.

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Mong-koo has big plans for Europe.

Continental says it will launch production of a pedestrian detection system early next year for an unnamed German automaker that will introduce it on a global vehicle.

Magna International reported a 24-percent jump in quarterly profit and said it was buying the controlling minority stake in its electric car business.

The day when self-driven cars dominate the road, a longtime science-fiction fantasy, may not be far off, a new report says.

It never ends! In fact, I hope it'll never end! Free material like this is golden, and we've practically made it a mission of ours to collect pictures of these parking-lot superheroes.

The opportunities to capture images of graduates from my School for the Parking Challenged are never-ending. One quick trip south of the border put my picture stocks over the top; I had no idea my influence was international...

This has become a fun topic for us at the office where, almost every day, we share parking stories and/or pictures.

This gallery therefore contains not only my pictures but some from a highly involved coworker. I've got more but they'll have to wait for the next installement. 

Enjoy!

Photo: Olivier Delorme

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre

Continue reading Top 20 Parking Jobs of Summer 2012

The popular Toyota Corolla enters the 2013 model year with a few option package changes. The most notable addition is the availability of a power sunroof on the base Corolla CE, which Toyota claims is the lowest-priced compact car with a sunroof.

The Corolla S now includes a sound system with a 6.1” display. It also bundles a USB port, six speakers as well as Bluetooth phone and streaming audio connectivity. The optional Moonroof package, which includes automatic headlights and climate control, adds an intelligent key system. The new Technology and Leather package also equips the Corolla S with leather upholstery, heated front seats, navigation and satellite radio.

As for the Corolla LE, it also gets the new stereo with 6.1” display. Its Upgrade package adds a power driver's seat in addition to an intelligent key, automatic headlights and climate control, while its Premium package includes navigation, satellite radio, a leather-wrapped wheel and woodgrain trim.

The sporty Corolla XRS and its larger, 2.4L engine is no longer offered.

The 2013 Toyota Corolla is now on sale, starting from $15,450.

Jay Penske and his brother Mark were arrested on Thursday morning in connection with an alleged break-in at a property at the Nantucket Yacht Club in Nantucket, Massachusetts.

According to Jason Graziadei of the Inquirer and Mirror, Jay Penske, 33, and Mark Penske, 35, Roger Penske's sons were arrested shortly before 2 in the morning.

Jay Penske is the owner of the IZOD IndyCar Dragon Racing team that runs Sebastien Bourdais and Katherine Legge.

Jay Penske. (Photo: LAT for IndyCar)

The police were originally called to the scene to investigate after two women claimed they had been assaulted in the yacht club parking lot.

A police report cited by the newspaper states that the incident was initially reported as an assault and battery, although the women are said to have since told police that they do not wish continue with those charges.

The two Penske brothers spent the night in the Nantucket lockup facility and were arraigned Thursday morning, charged with breaking and entering with the intent to commit a misdemeanor.

The F-Type is the most anticipated volume production Jaguar since the world first laid eyes on the X150 concept in 2005. We got a taste of what is to come at this past June's Goodwood festival of speed where a camouflaged prototype ripped up the drive.

This is a significant car for the car company from Coventry. It marks the return of a Jaguar in the sports car category.

Compared to the prestigious XK, the F-Type will be more affordable and likely a blast to drive. Insuring that this will be true will be three gasoline engines. Two states of tune of Jaguar's all-new 3.0-liter supercharged V6 (340 hp and 380 hp) and a detuned versions the current supercharged 5.0-liter V8 will be offered. Expect them to sound like hell braking loose as well.

Standard fare will include an eight-speed transmission and Stop/Start technology.

The superb F-Type will see the light of day at its global debut at the Paris Motor Show on September 27, 2012.

From GMM

Rarely do the worlds of formula one and the Olympics collide.

But casual viewers of the prestigious equestrian dressage event could hardly believe their ears when a commentator said a German competitor was riding in London "her lovely stallion (called) Damon Hill".

And while a little piece of F1 trotted and pranced for gold, a little piece of the 2008 Beijing games can now be found in the McLaren garage.

Olympic silver medallist Tom Stallard is Jenson Button's performance engineer.

Four years ago, he was among the world's elite 'men's eight' rowers.

"I'd always wanted to be in formula one," he said. "I did a motor sports-focused course at university and did some work experience in the sport. I basically joined the team straight after the 2008 Olympics."

McLaren's garage during a Grand Prix weekend. (Photo: McLaren)

And just so the story goes full circle, the most famous rower ever to grace a formula one paddock was Graham Hill -- former world champion Damon Hill's father.

Before he got serious about racing, two-time title winner Hill competed for the prestigious London Rowing Club, adopting its distinctive navy and white colours for his F1 helmet.

"The self discipline required for rowing and the 'never say die' attitude obviously helped me through the difficult years that lay ahead," 1962 and 1968 world champion Hill wrote in his 1969 autobiography, Life At The Limit.

Son Damon Hill raced the same London rowing colours to the 1996 title.

Former Formula 1 driver and CART series' champion Alex Zanardi will make his Paralympic debut in a few weeks at the London Games.

In September 2001, Zanardi, racing in the CART series lost both his legs in a terrible race crash at the Lausitzring oval in Germany. Zanardi's car was t-boned at 200 mph by another car after spinning out of control while coming back on the race track.

But having designed his own prosthetic legs, the likeable Italian made a successful return to motorsport in the World Touring Car Championship before turning to wheelchair sport, and has now qualified for the Paralympics as a hand cyclist.

Training really hard, Zanardi won the 2011 New York handcycle marathon.

“The fact that I've been able not only to turn a misfortune into an opportunity, but to turn it into a great opportunity,” said Zanardi during an interview at SPEED Center.

“I wouldn't do what I am doing if I didn't love it. The fact that I'm loving paracycling, what I am doing today, the fact that I've been able to qualify and represent my nation in the next Olympic games is something I will forever tell my friends,” the Italian declared.

Williams Formula 1 driver Pastor Madonado and GP2 series' competitor Rodolfo Gonzalez are currently in their native Venezuela in an effort to promote motorsport.

Both drivers are sponsored by PDVSA, Petróleos de Venezuela S.A., the national petroleum company.

Pastor Maldonado (Photo: Williams Twitter)

Williams F1 enjoys tremendous support in Venezuela, not least because of Maldonado whose win at the Spanish Grand Prix this season has seen him become a national icon in his home country.

Pastor will be joined by Team Principal Sir Frank Williams for a series of exciting events in the country's capital, Caracus, including Pastor driving his Formula One car around the capital city's most renowned national monument, Los Proceres.

Rodolfo Gonzalez (Photo: Juan Eduardo Reina)

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Quebec driver Andrew Ranger, a two-time NASCAR Canadian Tire series' champion intends to shine in the two categories he will be competing in during the NAPA Auto Parts 200 held in Montreal next weekend.

Ranger captured a brillant win last weekend at the Juliawine.com 100 of the Canadian Tire series at the Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres.

“That was a welcomed boost! Because honestly the first half of the season had its share of ups and downs,” Ranger told Auto123.com.

Photo: Getty Images/NASCAR

“We made a lot of changes to the car, because the Edmonton race was a real downer. I was running in third place when I completely lost the brakes. They overheated and at one point I had no choice but to put the car into a spin to slow down! It was a major failure. I eventuelly finished seventh but we lost a great deal of championship points that day. We had to do something. So the team worked really hard to make the changes. And the brakes worked perfectly on Trois-Rivieres street course. And that's encouraging for Montreal,” Ranger explained.

The Gilles Villeneuve circuit is really hard on the brakes. “In fact, this track is extremely hard on every component of the car: engine, brakes, transmission, suspensions. It's like an endurance race. One year, the race lasted four hours and a half! That's an eternity!” Ranger added.

Psychologically, the young Quebecer is in a much stronger position than last year. “I have a new agent in Steve Meehan. Steve is the owner of the GC Motorsport International - a team that races in the NASCAR Nationwide series. He took me under his wing,” Ranger continued.

Andrew Ranger, winner at Trois-Rivieres. (Photo: Yanick Gougeon)

“At the NAPA Auto Poarts 200 in Montreal, I will race in the two series. I'm going to have little time to breathe as I have to drive two different cars as well as do the media and public appearances. I'm going to be pretty busy!” he added.

Will the Quebecer push harder in one series in comparison to the other? “No. I am currently second in the standinsg of the Canadian Tire series and I know I can clinch a third title. But on the other hand, I would also like to become the first Quebecer to win the Nationaide race! I have the right car to do it. My goal is to run withtin the top five all race long and to give it all during the last laps of the race,” Ranger ended.