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Fiat 500 owner was told 'book' time for work was 1.5 hours - but the garage charged for 2.3 hours

Our reader wrote to MINI in 2009 to suggest it build a new Clubvan

Citroen reveals restyled C5 as well as a new set of alloys for the DS5, which bring CO2 emissions down to 99g/km

Citroen reveals restyled C5 as well as a new set of alloys for the DS5, which bring CO2 emissions down to 99g/km

Global sales of Mercedes-Benz luxury cars grew at the slowest monthly rate so far this year in June, rising 0.9 percent to 121,542, the automaker said on Wednesday.

Mercedes has revealed details of the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake before it arrives early next year

Mercedes has revealed details of the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake before it arrives early next year

The German federal cartel office plans to examine more closely the alliance between General Motors, its German unit Opel, and France's PSA to look at its effect on car-parts suppliers.

The German federal cartel office plans to examine more closely the alliance between General Motors, its German unit Opel, and France's PSA to look at its effect on car-parts suppliers.

New, cheaper GT model added to the Infiniti M35h range

It is very much a flexible way forward for Toyota as it looks to expand its hybrid model offerings across global markets.

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said he may close a second Italian factory as European auto deliveries sink for a fifth straight year.

June brought a small but welcome uptick in US light vehicle sales with a better than predicted SAAR of 14.08m units and sales of nearly 1.29m cars and light trucks, a 22.1% improvement from June 2011.

Suzuki says it is confident it will succeed in its bid to sever relations with Volkswagen as legal arbitration gets underway between the two automakers. Suzuki wants VW to return the 19.

The UAW and its allies used the NFL draft in April to turn up a corporate campaign and organizing drive directed at the new owner of the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars, Shahid Khan, who also owns Illinois-based auto supplier Flex-N-Gate.

From GMM

Christian Horner, the boss of formula one team Red Bull, has scotched reports star driver Sebastian Vettel is set to switch to Ferrari.

Numerous reports and sources have claimed double world champion and German Vettel, who turned 25 this week, has signed a 'pre-contract' that could lead to him moving to Ferrari in 2014.

"I can't see that," Horner is quoted by British newspapers, "because all contracts have to be declared with the Contract Recognition Board for a kick-off. I've also spoken to Sebastian about it, and he has made it quite clear he hasn't had any dialogue and hasn't signed anything with Ferrari, but I guess the rumour mill will always continue."

Horner dismissed the rumours as simply a part of formula one life.

"I think most of our team has been going to Ferrari at some point this year, whether it be Adrian (Newey), Mark (Webber), Sebastian, even myself at one stage was supposed to be going," the Briton smiled.

Mark Webber and Christian Horner. (Photo: Red Bull Racing)

And after Sebastian Vettel recently said he is happy at Red Bull alongside Australian Webber, Christian Horner indicated the driver pairing is indeed likely to stay the same for now.

"They drive the car in a similar manner and it's important for us to have two drivers who do push each other to get the best out of each other," he said. "So I'm sure over the next few weeks we'll sit down and talk about the future with Mark."

From GMM

Kimi Raikkonen has played down a reported spat with Lotus, insisting he is only pushing the team to improve its steering system.

It has been claimed the former McLaren and Ferrari driver has repeatedly rejected Enstone based Lotus' efforts to tailor the E20 car to Raikkonen's precise needs.

"It's just because in other years I drove cars with really good steering," German reports quoted the 32-year-old as telling the Italian magazine Autosprint.

"There are a few things on which we can continue to work and improve. That's the only reason (for the reports)," said the 2007 world champion, who according to reports has been in the middle of a team dispute.

Raikkonen's steering wheel. (Photo: Lotus F1 Team)

Raikkonen insisted that, in fact, the atmosphere at Lotus is "cool and relaxed", and run by people who "want to race and not have too much politics".

He clarified he is not therefore criticising Ferrari, who reportedly ended the contract with Raikkonen a year early in late 2009 because of the politics surrounding the arrival of Fernando Alonso and Spanish sponsor Santander.

"I felt good with them," he insisted.

"I won a world title and I have no feelings at all towards them, neither good nor bad. I'm happy with what I have. Things probably could have gone better, but what does it matter now? I know the reasons why I didn't stay, but I don't want to talk about it now. As I said, I don't have problems with anyone."

Photo: Lotus F1 Team

He denied he opted to leave F1 rather than accept an alternative offer from McLaren because of a money dispute.

"That's not true," Raikkonen said. "The real reason is that I didn't see any need to sign for a number of months.

"I wasn't desperate or willing to do anything to stay in F1," he added.

Following a strategic review of Chevrolet's motorsport and marketing programs, Chevrolet will leave the World Touring Car Championship at the end of the 2012 season. 

The information has been released this Wednesday. The british team RML was in charge of the running of the Chevrolet works car since the World Touring Car Championship debuts in 2005. After the Lacetti until 2009, Chevrolet ran the Cruze with a great success.

In 2010, Chevrolet clinched its first world titles, with the constructors championship, and the drives title for Frenchman Yvan Muller. Muller was crowned again the following season after an epic battle with his team mate Rob Huff. The american brand was the only factory team involved in WTCC after BMW left the serie at the end of 2010.

That is a bad news for the FIA WTCC, which was about to host a new constructor team with Honda at the end of 2012, while Lada was considering to come back in the championship next year. Two privates Chevrolet Cruze are currently ran by team Bamboo Engineering.

Yvan Muller, Alain Menu, Rob Huff. (Photo: Chevrolet)

Chevrolet will continue to be present in global motorsports with its many other race series, including IndyCar and GT racing.

The three Chevrolet drivers, Yvan Muller, Rob Huff and Alain Menu, who lead the current standings, will have to find another team for 2013.

Marussia press release

Marussia F1 team issues an update on Maria de Villota's medical condition, this Wednesday afternoon.

Subsequent to yesterday's official statements from the Marussia F1 Team, the surgical team at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge embarked on a lengthy procedure to address the serious head and facial injuries sustained by Maria in the accident. The operation began yesterday afternoon and she was in theatre until this morning. Maria remains in a critical but stable condition.

John Booth, Team Principal of the Marussia F1 Team, with the consent and support of Maria's family, would like to give the following update, which provides as much detail as is possible at this time: “Maria emerged from theatre at Addenbrooke's Hospital this morning after a lengthy operation to address the serious head and facial injuries she received in the accident at Duxford Airfield yesterday.

“We are grateful for the medical attention that Maria has been receiving and her family would like to thank the Neurological and Plastics surgical teams. However it is with great sadness that I must report that, due to the injuries she sustained, Maria has lost her right eye.

“Maria's care and the wellbeing of her family remain our priority at this time. Her family are at the hospital and we are doing everything possible to support them.

“We ask for everyone's patience and understanding with regard to updates on Maria's condition. We will provide further information when it is appropriate to do so and with consideration for her family.

“In the meantime, we would all like to take this opportunity to praise the emergency services at Duxford Airfield, who were on stand-by yesterday, as is usual procedure for a Formula One test.

“With regard to the accident, we have embarked on a very comprehensive analysis of what happened and this work continues for the moment.

“Finally, we have been overwhelmed by messages of support for Maria, her family and the Team and we would like to express our sincere gratitude for those.”