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General Motors' OnStar telematics unit has quietly become a profit margin superstar. Analysts peg OnStar's revenues at about $1.5 billion annually, with a margin of 30 to 35 percent. That's about five times the 6.

Automotive News Europe salutes the winners of the 2013 Rising Stars awards. Every day until June 12 one of the 18 winners will be featured.

Car dealerships suffered little damage from the tornado that ravaged an Oklahoma City suburb last week. So they were able to jump into the relief effort quickly, joining automakers and aid groups to help survivors.

After 40 years of covering all aspects of the auto industry as a reporter, columnist, commentator and editor, Executive Editor Edward Lapham will retire at the end of June.

The traditional summer auto plant shutdown is quickly fading away. With tight inventories, rising sales and customers flocking to big, profitable vehicles, the Detroit 3 no longer can afford to halt plants for two weeks.

Penske Automotive Group Inc. says it would be interested in buying some dealerships in Germany owned by Daimler AG.

Kia's near-luxury Cadenza sedan -- priced from around $36,000 and equipped to swipe customers from the Acura TL and Lexus ES -- underscores how far the marque has come since its days as a value brand for used-car intenders.

We keep hearing that the iPod generation doesn't care as much about cars. That theory was proved wrong over the weekend during the Concourse d'Elegance in Como, Italy.

Willis Honda in Burlington, N.J., and its owner have lost another round in their long-running legal battle with Honda and a rival store over how the competing point in Hamilton, N.J., was awarded.

Mercedes-Benz isn't waiting for the E-class redesign in 2016 to outfit its mid-sized range with some of the high-tech equipment that was developed for the S-class sedan that arrives this fall.

As Internet leads, mobile phone calls and texts swamp dealerships, business development centers are starting to look counterproductive to some dealers.

There is no parking lot outside the Volkswagen and Audi stores that opened side by side last year in Manhattan's main dealership district. Parking on the street, for those lucky enough to find a spot, means popping $3.50 an hour into a parking meter.

Four years after GM's bankruptcy, the leaner automaker has begun tapping a deep pool of relatively young, still talented retirees who left the company earlier than planned during the downturn. Some were laid off.

Chrysler Group is equipping some of its lower-trim vehicles with a Microsoft-based infotainment system used by Fiat -- and, according to the software maker, more vehicles are on the way.

We've all said it: “I'm going for a drive.”

Whether or not you've got a purpose in mind, it's not the destination, it's the journey that matters, and the fact that we're choosing (at that particular pivotal moment in our lives) to turn to a vehicle to proceed. I've noticed over the years, that “the drive” comes up in a number of situations, and it's made me realize how important vehicles are to us as humans (and not just as modes of transportation).

The Angry Drive
While not the most pleasant, it is perhaps one of the more popular “drives.” Usually occurring after a marital or relationship spat, this drive is often not announced and is simply prefaced by one partner angrily grabbing the keys to their vehicle and storming out the front door. Said drive is therapeutic, relaxing, relieving and may even offer the driver time to think about what he/she has said or done so they may return home in a better place.

The Romantic Drive
This one's much nicer. Usually reserved for a Sunday afternoon when the sun is shining and the weather is warm, the Romantic Drive requires more than one in the car for obvious reasons. With absolutely no destination in mind and an air for adventure, this kind of drive could lead you virtually anywhere. As long as the two of you are together in your motorized vehicle.

The Sleepy Drive
New parents will understand this kind of drive better than most. I myself used it on more than one occasion. For some reason, babies are lulled to sleep in a moving vehicle. At 2 a.m. when your child has been screaming bloody murder for no apparent reason and you're about ready to break down and cry for the tenth time, placing your child in the car seat then driving around your sleepy neighbourhood in your bunny slippers and flannel PJs will be one of the best ideas you'll have had in ages. Trust me.

The Introspective Drive
It seems counterintuitive to say a vehicle is a great place to lose yourself because there's so much to pay attention to while you drive, but it's true. On more than one Introspective Drive I've discovered a great deal about myself (and by association, the car I'm driving) because of our alone time, the road we're on and sometimes even the destination.

The Drive
Sometimes a flippant, “Honey, I'm going for a drive” means nothing more than that: a drive. The wind in your hair, throttle beneath your right foot, gear lever in hand; bliss. There's nothing quite like it. Leave the world behind and drive. What more could you ask for?

Our vehicles are about more than just getting us to work, dropping us off at school and picking up the groceries on the weekend. They're about more than gas prices and insurance quotes. They're more than metal, plastic and rubber.

Our vehicles are an integral part of our lives. They engrain themselves in our everyday activities, become part of our impromptu adventures, our silly internet photo shoots, and our life lessons. They teach, they entice and they tease. Cars are an extension of our families and our family's lives.

Kevin Harvick, better known as “The Closer” brought down the curtain on one long strange 600-mile night in Charlotte.

“This is one of those nights you just know going into it you got to grind away lap after lap, just keep yourself on the lead lap, not make any mistakes,” said Harvick. “As you get towards the end of the race, you want to be more aggressive as you get onto pit road, get into your pit box.”

Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet. (Photo: NASCAR)

Thanks to two new tires Harvick beat out fellow Chevrolet driver, Kasey Kahne, on a late race restart for his second win of the year. “You know, we all pitted there probably about that same time, about 20 laps to go. I could see him.  Heck, the last race we won here, we came off of turn two in third. By the time we got back to the start/finish line, we had won the race.

I felt when we came out second, everybody had done their job.  They were all like five‑year‑old kids looking at me as a snack.  It's like, ‘don't screw this up, bud.'  You're in control of this race.  Don't let somebody get under you, because at that point we were in complete control.”

Kasey Kahne and his crew decided not to pit for fresh tires and that decision cost him the win.

“The whole field pitted so we just didn't expect that,” said Kahne. We had a great Chevy all night long. We were in the hunt from the drop of the green. It was a solid night. Wish we could have won it. I felt like we were definitely the car to beat the last 200 laps, maybe the whole race at times. It was solid. It was a great performance by the whole team and the pit stops were awesome. We just didn't get the win.”

Kasey Kahne and Kurt Busch. (Photo: NASCAR)

Kasey Kahne had led 156 laps but Harvick took the low line following the last of 11 cautions and slowly pulled away for the victory.

Kurt Busch whose car was hit by a television camera cable and later had a battery issue soldiered home to a third-place. It was almost like a war zone to the 2004 Sprint Cup champ “still shell-shocked, we picked up the lead and then the battery went dead,” said Busch. “I don't know what to think of that. We battled back. They guys changed it as fast as they could and we got third. We had a good car.”

That brings us to the bizarre part of the evening.

The race was red flagged just past quarter of the way into NASCAR longest race of the year after the nylon rope, which supports a television camera, snapped in the first turn. Instead of stopping with no repairs drivers were allowed back to their pit stalls and crews given 15 minutes to assess and fix damage caused by the failure.

Ten fans received non life-threatening injuries.

In addition to the 11 caution flag periods there were a total of three red flag stoppages following collisions involving some of NASCAR's biggest names like reigning champion, Brad Keselowski, Jimmie Johnson, and Danica Patrick. Dale Earnhardt's blown engine was another culprit.

Official Fox Statement
At this time, we do not have a cause for the failure of the camera drive line that interrupted tonight's Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and our immediate concern is with the injured fans.

The camera system consists of three ropes -- a drive rope which moves the camera back and forth, and two guide ropes on either side. The drive rope failed near the Turn 1 connection and fell to the track. The camera itself did not come down because guide ropes acted as designed. A full investigation is planned, and use of the camera is suspended indefinitely.

This camera system had been used successfully at this year's Daytona 500, last week's NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and other major events around the world. We certainly regret that the system failure affected tonight's event, we apologize to the racers whose cars were damaged, and our immediate concern is for the race fans. We also offer a sincere ‘thank you' to the staff at CMS for attending to the injuries and keeping us informed on this developing situation.

When we have more information on the cause of the equipment failure, we will share it with you immediately.

From GMM

Pirelli is closer to inking a deal to stay in formula one beyond 2013, following a meeting in Monaco.

After Paul Hembery warned that Pirelli could quit F1 due to the delayed negotiations, Spain's AS sports newspaper reports that Pirelli president Marco Tronchetti Provera met with Bernie Ecclestone.

"We are approaching the conditions (to sign)," Provera said, "so we'll see.

"The fact is that Bernie is happy with us and also our company is still interested in the F1 project, so I hope we can get to an agreement soon and all will be well," he added.

Photo: Pirelli

Tronchetti Provera said he is proud of Pirelli's contribution to the sport so far.

"We were asked to add more 'show' to the races, and I think the races are better now than before our arrival, so I think in that sense we have succeeded," he insisted.

As for the controversy caused by Pirelli's heavily degrading compounds in 2013, he explained: "We have developed the tires with a car several years old, and with not enough days of testing."

Meanwhile, it seems Pirelli will introduce some changes to its tire design for Canada in two weeks after all, despite the opposition of some teams, including Sahara Force India.

"I did it like the old days. I told the teams that they should be united," Bernie Ecclestone is quoted by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"Pirelli will modify its tires as planned," the F1 chief executive revealed.

Drive-thrus are a way of life in North America. From Dunkin' Donuts to the average bank, driving up to a window for a service is now commonplace.

Most restaurants and other businesses with drive-thrus are designed to accommodate the average car and SUV. Some of these lazy-lanes are tight and can be hard on alloy wheels, but most of us in our Corollas and Accords can negotiate them just fine.

However, some vehicles are not at all drive-thru friendly. As a public service to our readers, we put together this list of vehicles that should not be purchased if you are a drive-thru regular.

Hummer H1

Photo: General Motors

Nearly as wide as a smart fortwo is long, the H1 moves about town with the grace of a rhino in an antique store. Heck, a freeway onramp is tight for the H1. Best break out the ladder and order in person.

Continue reading Top 10 Worst Vehicles for Drive-Thrus

From Ferrari

The Fiorano test circuit was the scene of Kamui Kobayashi's first drive at the wheel of a Ferrari Formula 1 car, the F10 that competed in the World Championship three years ago.

Kobayashi has been part of the Ferrari family since March, racing a Ferrari 458 in GT races.

Kamui Kobayashi, Ferrari F10 (Photo: Ferrari)

Kobayashi didn't take long to get to grips with the F10 in what was a preparatory test for when he will drive it in the Moscow City Racing event, which will see the F1 car shoot through the streets of the Russian capital over the weekend of July 21.

“The first feeling was one of great happiness,” commented the Japanese driver after the short test.

Kamui Kobayashi, Ferrari F10 (Photo: Ferrari)

“I raced against this car and I knew how quick it was, so it was very important to get some experience of it. Last year's race in Brazil was the last time I drove a Formula 1 car and now I am racing in WEC (World Endurance Championship) in a 458 GT and the impressions are completely different. But it wasn't hard to readapt, because in the past, I've driven all sorts of cars and I'm used to change. It will be very nice to drive an F1 car again at this event in Moscow and for me it will be a double debut: the first time at the wheel of a Ferrari F1 car in an event and my first visit to the city.”

Kamui Kobayashi, Ferrari F10 (Photo: Ferrari)

KV Racing's Tony Kanaan has been around for a long time but for once he will add his name to the prestigious Indianapolis 500 winner's trophy after earning his first ever victory at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

In a race that saw no less than 68 lead changes, the KV Racing Technology driver took the lead for the final time when he passed Ryan Hunter-Reay on a restart with three laps left to run.

Tony Kanaan, KV Racing. (Photo: IMS)

But when Dario Franchitti crashed and immediately brought the yellows back out, that left anyone wanting to challenge Kanaan's lead with nowhere to go; the final laps being completed under caution.

Rookie Carlos Munoz (Andretti Autosport), who has run amongst the leaders all through practice and qualifying, finished second in front of his teammates Ryan Hunter-Reay and Marco Andretti who finished respectively third and fourth.

Dale Coyne Racing's Justin Wilson was the first Honda-powered driver across the line in fifth, the Brit jumping ahead of Helio Castroneves in the final laps, while AJ Allmendinger (Penske Racing) drove a great race all afternoon on his way to seventh.

Simon Pagenaud, Charlie Kimball and polesitter Ed Carpenter, who started strongly but faded later in the race, completed the top 10.

Tony Kanaan. (Photo: IMS)

97Th edition of the Indianapolis 500 Results - 200 laps:

Pos   Driver  Team/Engine  Time/Gap
1. Tony Kanaan   KV/Chevy   2h40m03.4181s
2. Carlos Munoz  Andretti/Chevy  + 0.1159
3. Ryan Hunter-Reay  Andretti/Chevy  + 0.2480
4. Marco Andretti   Andretti/Chevy  + 0.3634
5. Justin Wilson  Coyne/Honda  + 0.8138
6. Helio Castroneves  Penske/Chevy  + 3.0086
7. AJ Allmendinger  Penske/Chevy  + 4.0107
8. Simon Pagenaud   Schmidt/Honda  + 4.2609
9. Charlie Kimball   Ganassi/Honda   + 5.6864
10. Ed Carpenter   Carpenter/Chevy  + 6.8425
11. Oriol Servia  Panther DRR/Chevy  + 7.8633
12. Ryan Briscoe   Ganassi/Honda  + 8.9216
13. Takuma Sato  Foyt/Honda  + 10.2602
14. Scott Dixon  Ganassi/Honda  + 11.3858
15. Ana Beatriz  Coyne/Honda  + 12.2657
16. Tristan Vautier  Schmidt/Honda  + 15.3045
17. Simona De Silvestro   KV/Chevy  + 15.7201
18. EJ Viso   Andretti/Chevy  + 17.8056
19. Will Power  Penske/Chevy   + 22.5403
20. James Jakes  Rahal/Honda  + 1 lap
21. James Hinchcliffe  Andretti/Chevy   + 1 lap
22. Conor Daly  Foyt/Honda   + 2 laps
23. Dario Franchitti  Ganassi/Honda  + 3 laps*
24. Alex Tagliani  Herta/Honda   + 4 laps
25. Graham Rahal  Rahal/Honda  + 7 laps*
26. Katherine Legge   Schmidt/Honda  + 7 laps
27. Townsend Bell   Panther/Chevy  + 8 laps
28. Josef Newgarden  Fisher/Honda  + 9 laps

* Not running at finish

Retirements
Sebastien Bourdais  Dragon/Chevy   178 laps
Pippa Mann  Coyne/Honda  46 laps
Buddy Lazier   Lazier/Chevy   44 laps
Sebastian Saavedra  Dragon/Chevy   34 laps
JR Hildebrand   Panther/Chevy  3 laps