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From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has played down reports the calendar could be set to explode in 2013.

There have been rumours the F1 chief executive was open to expanding the schedule to no fewer than 26 races next season.

"Not next year," he told DAPD news agency. "There will be 20 again. No new races."

That doesn't bode well for New Jersey, which is scheduled to join the 2014 calendar.

For 2014, Russia is set to host a grand prix at Sochi, while Argentina is reportedly close to a deal.

"I hope we don't have to remove any existing races," said Ecclestone.

Circuit of Sochi, Russia.

From GMM

Lotus and Kimi Raikkonen are in no mind to end their new partnership.

It has been not all smooth sailing since the 2007 world champion returned from rallying to team up with Lotus, triggering rumours that the seat occupied by Raikkonen might be a factor in the 2013 'silly season'.

But when asked if he is happy with the 32-year-old as well as Romain Grosjean, team owner Gerard Lopez insisted: "Yes."

"We have developed a strong and fast car that works on almost every circuit, and we have two good drivers -- I think one of the best driver pairings," he told the Luxembourg newspaper Wort.

Photo: Lotus F1 Team

When asked about Raikkonen specifically, Lopez explained: "Kimi was a logical choice for us. We were looking for an experienced driver, and he is among the six champions this year. He has done a good comeback. He has forgotten nothing, he is very fast and focused and has no motivation problems. He can push the team along very well. He says what he thinks, whether it's good or bad. He is very direct, we talk very openly and directly together. He's a nice guy, a great person, but introverted. People often have a false impression of him. But he's not interested in politics and so he just fits well with our concept. I think he feels comfortable in our family."

Raikkonen's fellow Finn, former Sauber and Toyota driver Mika Salo, agrees.

"I don't think Kimi wants to go anywhere else. He has a good car, the support of the team behind him, and Lotus give him a free hand," he told the broadcaster MTV3.

Buick and director Andrew Filippone Jr.

On July 19, Lamborghini built the 1,000th Aventador.

GM said Thursday it will build the Chevrolet Trax compact crossover and a new generation of big pickups at plants in Mexico.

Also in this episode: Germany's legendary Nürburgring is bankrupt, General Motors moves out of New York City's GM Building and we take a look at a

Opel's new caretaker chief has said he will honour commitments made to unions and employees as part of a turnaround plan.

Volkswagen is considering launching a new bid for Malaysia's Proton as Europe's largest automaker aims to tap growing southeast Asian markets in its quest for global dominance, sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

A meeting of Renault's top management today (19 July) has been told the automaker's former second in command, Patrick Pelata, will leave the company next month following last year's spy scandal in which three top executives were wrongly accused of espionage.

News 20 Jul, 2012

New MG Roadster will be based on the Icon concept, with classic MGB touches - and our exclusive images show how it could look

Pictures 20 Jul, 2012

An arbitrator today dismissed the UAW's long-standing 'equality of sacrifice' grievance against Ford, ruling the company was not contractually obligated to roll back concessions with hourly workers at the same time it restored bonuses...

Lexus is joining the social teasing party by uploading a darkened, smoky image of the redesigned 2013 Lexus LS sedan.

GM's underfunded pension plan has found a buyer for some of its private equity assets -- the Chinese government, which is willing to pay between $1.5 billion and $2 billion, the Financial Times reported on its website.

Driven: 2012 Nissan Murano

Although this early adopter could use better fuel economy, it remains a great choice.

First introduced in 2003, the Nissan Murano was on the vanguard of the move to crossovers, with buyers not so much coming out of SUVs but passenger cars. Trailing in its wake came the Toyota Venza, the Ford Edge, and the Honda Crosstour, to name a few. Redesigned for 2009, the Murano's styling became more, well, pronounced -- with a pointy, shovel-faced grille and a rounded rear -- but it retained the same general proportions.

Photo Gallery: Driven: 2012 Nissan Murano - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Driven: 2012 Nissan Murano - Automobile Magazine

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Johnson Controls has reported that net income in the quarter ended June 30 rose 17% year-on-year to US$417 million.

2012 Honda Fit Sport

The Fit is one of the best -- and most entertaining -- vehicles to drive in an urban environment.

A lot has changed since we last named the Fit an All-Star in 2009. Back then, the Fit wowed us with its sophistication, efficiency, and dynamic competence. Honda brought smart engineering to a segment that had once been notable only for its low price tags.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Honda Fit Sport - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Honda Fit Sport - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

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A123 Systems signed a deal with BAE Systems to supply lithium ion battery packs to be used in buses as well as other commercial applications.

Faurecia has purchased the automotive business of Sora Composites. The division specialises in the manufacture of composite plastics and the use of glass and carbon fibre for automotive applications.

News 19 Jul, 2012

The efficient Audi Q3 2.0 TDI is now available with quattro four-wheel drive and a manual gearbox