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With stocks of popular vehicles dwindling, carmakers are wringing all the capacity they can out of their plants. It's a startling about-face for an industry that spent the last few years stripping out excess capacity.

April was the first month in which one of the freshly minted Fiat dealerships -- pardon us, salons, in official parlance -- topped 100 sales in a single month.

Forging a dealership group during a deep recession is fraught with risk, but three bold entrepreneurs -- Robert Johnson, Mack McLarty and Steve Landers -- not only created a profitable venture, they more than doubled the group's original size to 25...

Texas dealer Rox Covert has roughly four months' worth of full-sized pickups in stock at his two Chevrolet and two GMC stores. Normally he prefers a three-month supply.

Suddenly, Toyota is looking like the juggernaut of old -- a warning to rivals that the window of opportunity for stealing market share from the former No. 1 brand may have snapped shut.

Several of Toyota's top-selling U.S. vehicles that are built both in North America and Japan soon will be produced exclusively in North America, the company's top U.S. executive said.

In the three months since a National Automobile Dealers Association study concluded that manufacturer facility renovation programs cost too much and produce uncertain results, NADA leaders have hopscotched the country meeting with factory...

Rolls-Royce -- the automaker known for its Flying Lady on the hood -- forever proved to me and two others that the new Phantom is much more than just a luxury lounge on wheels.

PSA's alliance with General Motors and the French company's troubles in Europe will be in focus when PSA CEO Philippe Varin speaks at the 2012 Automotive News Europe Congress.

According to Italy's Quattroruote magazine, the targa-type convertible version of the Aventador will not be equipped with a folding soft top - like the one feature on the Murciélago Roadster the Aventador replaces -, but rather a removable hardtop.

The carbon fibre part will be made of the two cross-section pieces, keeping weight to a minimum.

Photo: Quattroruote.it

Therefore, the Aventador should keep all of its most impressive features: the air intake, the rear pillars, the see-through engine cover are all staying. The 6.5L V12 also stays unchanged, still producing 700-horsepower going to the four wheels through a 7-speed gearbox.

Prices for the Aventador have yet to be determined, but should follow suite to the manufacturer's sky-high trends.

Dreaming is still free.


_{Source: Quattroruote}

According to a Jeep Garage forum member, the new Dodge Durango should be launched in May 2013 - and not in July 2013 as it was planned.

The completely redesigned Durango will feature an 8-speed ZF gearbox, a new dash engineered to make room for an 8.4" radio (available with or without navigation system).

Dodge will start taking orders for the 2014 Durango in April 2013, and hopefully release more details sooner.


_{Source: Jeep Garage Forums}

They have been slandered ever since they entered the market 30 years ago. So why is it that the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan account for 40% of mini-van sales in United States?

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com

More importantly, is it time for Chrysler's president, Sergio Marchionne, to put all his eggs in the same basket - get rid of one of the two to preserve the other in these tough times the mini-van makers face?

Then, should he invest in a makeover or not? How long can the Town & Country hold on despite its higher price compared to the Grand Caravan? Can Dodge sell its more basic vehicle to the higher end Chrysler clientele?

At the moment, it is all up in the air. Unlike here, in Canada, where it was decided that only the Grand Caravan would stay.


_{Source: Bloomberg}

Jean Alesi is expected to be confirmed today as the driver of a new team formed by former Indy Racing League driver Tyce Carlson, who is also co-owner of an Indy Lights team, and funded by Lotus.

Apparently, Lotus has come to an agreement with this new team, Fan Force United to prepare and run a car for former Formula One driver Jean Alesi.

A first deal with Newman-Haas Racing failed to materialise a few weeks ago. And then another one with HVM Racing also fell thru last week.

Keith Wiggins stated that he did not have enough manpower and time to prepare an additional DW12 for the occasion.

Simona de Silvestro, HMV Racing. (Photo: LAT pour IndyCar)

Carlson has two Indy Lights cars entered in this month's Freedom 100.

Alesi will follow the Rookie Orientation programme at the Speedway on Thursday along with former F1 rival Rubens Barrichello.


From GMM

Carlos Sainz Jr is on course for a future in formula one.

The 17-year-old Spaniard is the son of Carlos Sainz, the former two-time world rally champion.

Sainz Jr, however, has pursued a career in open wheelers, and - now that Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne have stepped up - he is the new cream of energy drink Red Bull's junior driver programme.

And another direct link to the world of formula one for Sainz jr is his new sponsorship deal with Cepsa, the Spanish oil company that is also Red Bull-owned Toro Rosso's main backer.

Carlos Sainz Jr. (Photo: F3 Euroseries)

Sainz Jr's new Cepsa deal is for his participation this year in the British and Euroseries F3 categories, but "Our intention is to continue (beyond 2012)," Cepsa co-chairman Santiago Bergareche is quoted by Marca newspaper.

"Hopefully everything goes well and Carlos will be in that world (F1) one day," added Cepsa chairman Alfonso Escamez.

He said the deal does not guarantee Sainz Jr a future in F1.

"The sponsors have no say on the teams of the drivers. We can try to influence, to give our opinion, but we are not (able to decide) on that side. We hope that it does happen, but it will not necessarily."

On May 8, 1982, the world lost the legendary race car driver Gilles Villeneuve, a victim of his own will to win, to be the best. Villeneuve lost in life in a tragic accident that happened on the road circuit of Zolder, Belgium.

We had all watched with increasing awe his rise to the very top of Formula 1 as a member of the most iconic of all teams, Ferrari. Transcending borders, Gilles became the most spectacular and popular Formula1 driver in the world, the idol of millions around the world.

The terrible accident at Zolder during qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix meant that he is no longer with us in person, but his memory lives on to this day in everyone mind.


To commemorate his passing thirty years later, the Musée Gilles Villeneuve has produced a high quality lithograph that illustrates some great moments of his career: aboard his Ferrari, in conversation with Enzo Ferrari who treated him like a son, on the podium after his first Formula 1 victory, at Montreal in September 1978.

We can also see a “Labatt” logo, the company that played an essential role in his climb to success, and the “Salut Gilles” theme that we can still see on track surfaces and in the crowd at many Grand Prix every year.

Only 1227 copies (A combination of his two car numbers in F1, 12 and 27) of the lithograph will be produced, and sold for $350.

To order a copy, please contact the Musée Gilles-Villeneuve, at 1-800-639-0103 or www.museegillesvilleneuve@bellnet.ca.

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From GMM

Bahrain, the controversial island Kingdom, could have been central to McLaren's decision to agree the terms of the next Concorde Agreement.

Bahrain's ruling family, through its investment arm Mumtalakat Holdings, owns half of the famous British team.

The Times' F1 correspondent Kevin Eason quoted a source as saying the link "pushed (McLaren's) Concorde deal over the line".

In return for signing up, Bahrain reportedly received a "pledge" that last month's highly contentious grand prix would go ahead.

Start of the 2012 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix. (Photo: Pirelli)

Eason also said it is possible that one of McLaren's two Bahraini directors, rather than the obvious choice Ron Dennis, could be appointed to the F1 board once the sport is floated on the Singapore exchange.

Bernie Ecclestone denied the 2012 Bahrain grand prix and the Concorde Agreement deal were linked.

"It was nothing to do with the Bahrain race (going ahead). But McLaren liked the deal," the F1 chief executive insisted.

Intriguingly, however, F1's post-stock market floatation chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe has defended the controversial decision to push ahead with Bahrain last month.

"The race was exploited by the opposition in Bahrain, not vice versa," he told the Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung. "That was not interpreted correctly by the media. If groups want to exploit sporting events for their interests, then the worst thing you can do is give way."

Protests in Bahrain. (Photo: WRi2)

Brabeck also compared Bahrain to England.

"In what countries are there no riots?" he asked rhetorically. "A year ago there were riots in London -- should the Olympic Games now be cancelled?"

From GMM

McLaren tested a higher front nose at the Mugello test last week.

Backmarker Marussia aside, the famous British team is the only team in 2012 to have resisted the temptation of running a high 'step' nose, in the wake of new safety regulations.

McLaren was the early frontrunner this season with its MP4-27 car, but Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton struggled notably last time out in Bahrain.

Oliver Turvey, McLaren (Photo: WRI2)

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said the team quietly tested the significant nose development on the final day of Mugello testing last Thursday, with test driver Oliver Turvey at the wheel.

The report also speculated that McLaren experimented with an adjustable brake duct system at Mugello, which might be used to regulate tire temperature for the finicky 2012 Pirellis.

The system would have to be adjusted by the mechanics during a pitstop.

Nick Yelloly and Robin Frijns took wins in the two opening rounds of the 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 series in Alcaniz, Spain.

Yelloly moved up to first position after he passed poleman Arthur Pic at the start in race 1. Then, the Brit pulled away out in front, but was caught by Jules Bianchi, who put the pressure on the Brit.

Eventually, Yelloly maintained his lead until the checkered flag. Bianchi was excluded after his car failed post race scrutineering, which put Kevin Magnussen and Robin Frijns in 2nd and 3rd position.

Start of Race 1. (Photo: Renault)

Arthur Pic, brother of Marussia F1 driver Charles Pic, started Race 2 from pole position, but the Frenchman was overtaken at the start by Marco Sorensen.

However, Sorensen was forced to retire with a mechanical problem, which helped Robin Frijns to move into the lead, and win the race. The Dutch noe lead the provisional standings.

Race 1:
1 - Nick Yelloly - Comtec - 25 laps in 46'55"350
2 - Kevin Magnussen - Carlin + 12"543

3 - Robin Frijns - Fortec - 17"855

4 - Carlos Huertas - Fortec - 18"761
5 - Nikolay Martsenko - BVM Target + 19"385
Etc.

Race 2:
1 - Robin Frijns - Fortec - 27 laps in 46'38"013
2 - Sam Bird - ISR + 9"908

3 - Arthur Pic - Dams + 10"898
4 - Kevin Korjus - Tech 1 + 15"787
5 - Alexander Rossi - Arden Caterham + 21"180
Etc.

Championship:
1. Frijns 40 points; 2. Yelloly 25; 3. Bird 20; 4. Magnussen 18; 5. Pic 15, etc.

No one could stop David Higgins, not even him, from taking a fourth win at the Oregon Trail Rally.

Higgins' main rivals, multi-time Canadian champions Antoine L'Estage and Nathalie Richard, had to retire on stage 7. The pair is already at its second retirement of the season, in three rallies.

Antoine L'Estage, Mitsubishi. (Photo: Rally America)

Their bad luck pushed fellow Canadian regulars Crazy Leo Urlichich and Carl Williamson up to second. When Higgins and his co-driver Craig Drew went off the road at high speed, bending a control arm, Urlichich and Williamson weren't close enough to capitalize on the mistake.

"I thought I was done for when I went off," said Higgins.

"But my team got me back on the road. I couldn't have done it without them. I'm so proud to win four Oregon Trail Rallies. I'm getting up there with Ken Block in wins at single events!" said Higgins.

David Higgins, Subaru. (Photo: Rally America)

2011 Rally America rookie of the year, Adam Yeoman, drove to third place in the overall standings, with the help of his co-driver Jordan Schulze.

Belgian Group N champion David Sterckx and his co-driver Karen Jankowski pulled off a class win in Super Production. The 2WD class was also won by an oversea pairing, in Australians Will Orders and Toni Feaver. Canadian Andrew Comrie-Picard took second behind them.

Results - Oregon Trail Rally (Rally America)

1. David Higgins / Craig Drew (2012 Subaru WRX STI) in 1h42min46.6s
2. Leonid Urlichich / Carl Williamson (2007 Subaru Beast) + 4min25.9s
3. Adam Yeoman / Jordan Schulze (2002 Subaru Impreza) + 10min20.2s
4. (1.) Will Orders / Toni Feaver (1989 Nissan Silvia) + 12min30.9s
5. (2.) Andrew Comrie-Picard / Jeremy Wimpey (2011 Scion xD) + 14min15.2s
6. (1.) David Sterckx / Karen Jankowski (2011 Subaru STI) + 14min16.2s
7. (2.) Dave Henderson / Terrence McDowell (2004 Subaru Impreza) + 14min47.1s
8. (3.) Edward McNelly / Terrence McDowell (2004 Subaru Impreza) + 18min54.1s
9. (3.) Chris O'Driscoll / Lori O'Driscoll (2007 Subaru WRX) + 22min39.1s.
10. (4.) Verena Mei / Leanne Junnila (2011 Ford Fiesta) + 39min03.7s


Source: Rally America