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Mitsubishi Canada is recalling 1,409 RVR crossovers from the 2011 model year due to a safety issue with the panoramic glass roof.

On certain vehicles, primer may not have been applied during the installation. Reduced adhesion could allow the glass roof to completely detach from the vehicle, possibly striking another vehicle, a stationary object, or a bystander.

Consequently, Mitsubishi dealers will inspect and, if necessary, remove and correctly reinstall the panoramic glass roof.

Source: Transports Canada

Photo: Charles Renny

From GMM

Amid growing rumours Michelin could return to the grid, Paul Hembery on Tuesday announced that Pirelli is in fact set to remain F1's official supplier.

While at the same time expressing frustration with the situation in F1, and in the days after the 'test-gate' scandal and a FIA reprimand, Pirelli's three-year contract is coming to an end.

That has triggered rumours Michelin - apparently supported by FIA president Jean Todt - could find its way back into the paddock.

But Pirelli's motor sport director Hembery said on Tuesday: "We have signed agreements with the vast majority of the teams.

"Within two weeks we should complete all the contracts. So we're staying in formula one," he told Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Even so, Pirelli's controversial 2013 campaign continues. The latest charge has come from Lotus, who have accused the Italian supplier of making overly conservative compound choices for the next races.

"Let's not forget," Hembery responded, "that the cars are faster than what we expected early in the season. And our compounds are more aggressive than in 2012."

Photo: Pirelli

He denied the move is bowing to pressure from Red Bull and Mercedes, who have complained often bitterly about the heavily-degrading 2013 tires.

"No," said Hembery when asked if the more conservative choices are to help those teams.

"Those cars are still aggressive with the tires. It is true that Lotus is better in the heat, and we are expecting typical Silverstone weather with clouds, cold and a bit of rain.

"Our goal is to have no more than 2 or 3 pitstops, so we're going in that direction."

Nevertheless, with teams like Lotus having refused to allow Pirelli to tweak its compounds mid-season, Hembery acknowledged that a confusing four stops per driver is a possibility at Silverstone.

"Last year we saw two stops, so with softer compounds there is sure to be three, maybe four," he said.

He did admit that the planned tweaked tires, fitted with kevlar rather than a steel belt, have been shelved.

"Unless there are surprises (they won't be seen again)," said the Briton.

"Instead we're using a new glue that binds the tread, which should have solved the problem of delamination.

"We're also going to try a prototype hard compound at Silverstone that has a longer lifespan," added Hembery.

From Honda Indy Toronto

For the fourth straight year, admission to the Honda Indy Toronto will be free for fans to enjoy on Friday, July 12, 2013.

Fan Friday is made possible through the generous support of the Ontario Honda Dealers Association (OHDA) and Toronto race fans. In exchange for a donation to Make-A-Wish® Canada, Fan Friday promises a full day of family-oriented activities, stunt shows, autograph sessions and gourmet food trucks, as well as the IZOD IndyCar Series qualifying for Saturday's race.

"Our ongoing partnership with Make-A-Wish for Fan Friday is a big part of the Honda Indy Toronto," said Kevin Pearson, president of the OHDA. "This is all about putting fans in the middle of the action in support of a great cause. We hope fans give generously to help make wishes come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions across the country."

Ryan Hunter-Reay, winner in Toronto in 2012. (Photo: IndyCar)

Rather than pay admission to Fan Friday and to take part in various onsite games and activities, attendees are encouraged to donate to Make-A-Wish. All contributions will once again be matched dollar-for-dollar by Honda Canada.

Continued for 2013 is the option to text the word 'DREAM' to 41010 from any mobile phone to make a $5 donation. The support from organizations like Honda Canada, the OHDA and the general public gives Make-A-Wish the ability to grant 500 wishes every year from coast to coast.

In September, staff members of Canada's automobile web site, Auto123.com, will participate for a third time in the 48-hour bike marathon fund raising event for the Make-A-Wish Foundation Quebec.

Stoffel Vandoorne won both Formula Renault 3.5 races held at Moscow Raceway, and moved on top of the standings ahead of Kevin Magnussen.

The Belgian driver enjoyed a perfect weekend in Russia. He clinched two pole positions, and won both races.

Vandoorne also benefitted from Kevin Magnussen's problems. Magnussen was found guilty of having blocked other cars during qualifying, and was dropped from 3rd to 17th on the starting grid.

While Vandoorne won race 1 ahead of Antonio Felix Da Costa and Nigel Melker, Magnussen could not do better than 11th position.

Sunday, Vandoorne was again in a dominant form, claiming another win from pole position. After starting from third position, Magnussen ended the race in second place, 11 seconds adrift, and lost championship lead.

Stoffel Vandoorne (Photo: Renault)

From GMM

Marussia is not racing on a "level playing field", team chief executive Graeme Lowdon has told the Guardian newspaper.

It emerged earlier this year that F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone decided to limit the official prize money to only the top ten teams, explaining why Marussia was not offered a new commercial deal for 2013.

Additionally, an extra $10 million per year paid until now to the new teams Caterham, Marussia and the now-defunct HRT was cancelled.

Photo: Marussia F1 Team

Graeme Lowdon complained: "All we ask for is a level playing field. We are not asking for much."

He said the lack of income is compounded by F1 teams' current business model, with exorbitant spending translating into laptime.

"You can buy success, to some extent," said Lowdon. "Most teams, if they have money, will spend it and, if you spend everything you have and then find out you are not getting it, you have a problem.

"All teams should be treated equally. For whatever reason, that does not seem to be the case."

Infiniti Canada announced pricing for the all-new 2014 Infiniti Q50 sport sedan, which goes on sale this summer across the country.

Powered by a 3.7L V6 engine, the Q50 will come in 7 trim levels ranging from $37,500 to $51,750. Meanwhile, the Q50 equipped with the Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid system will start at $47,000.

All models use a 7-speed automatic transmission with available solid magnesium paddle shifters. Buyers will also have a choice between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

2014 Infiniti Q50 pricing:

• Q50 RWD: $37,500
• Q50 Sport RWD: $47,950
• Q50 Premium AWD: $43,400
• Q50 Premium AWD Navi: $44,800
• Q50 Premium AWD Navi + Deluxe Touring and Tech: $49,100
• Q50 Sport AWD: $47,450
• Q50 Sport Deluxe Touring and Tech: $51,750
• Q50 Hybrid Premium RWD: $47,000
• Q50 Hybrid Premium AWD: $49,500
• Q50 Hybrid Sport AWD: $56,450

Photo: Infiniti

From GMM

Dr Helmut Marko has said he was only joking when he suggested Red Bull might boycott the young drivers test and use its race drivers at a private test.

On Monday, following a report in The Times newspaper, the Austrian was moved to deny Red Bull was so furious at Mercedes' light penalty in the 'tire-gate' hearing that it was considering also breaking the rules to its advantage.

"Of course we wouldn't break the rules," Marko told Sport Bild.

He told Germany's Welt newspaper that he had only made the suggestion of mirroring Mercedes' illegal test because the benefits might outweigh the light penalty.

"It was purely sarcastic," he insisted.

"I wanted to demonstrate that, with such a judgement (of the international tribunal), it might be worth the risk. We are frustrated that someone is found guilty on all counts and then sentenced to a punishment that they themselves proposed," added Marko.

Indeed, Welt correspondent Simon Pausch suggested that the only truly punished party in the entire affair is Mercedes test driver Sam Bird, who must now sit out next month's Silverstone session.

Photo: Red Bull Racing

From GMM

McLaren must not 'lose' another whole season by bungling the development of its next car, new team driver Sergio Perez has warned.

The young Mexican joined the Woking based team this year, just as it launched the uncompetitive MP4-28.

Despite calls that it would be the most sensible solution, McLaren has so far refused to write off the current car in order to focus on the all-new rules of 2014.

Asked how far McLaren is from winning a race in 2013, Perez answered: "I think far away.

"We need to make major improvements; breakthroughs. We are currently one second per lap slower. You don't win races when you're a second slower than everyone else," he is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace.

Sergio Perez, McLaren MP4-28. (Photo: McLaren F1 Team)

Sergio Perez suggested the time might be coming when McLaren must draw a line under the MP4-28 and begin to ensure that 2014 is not similarly poor.

"We have to give our best for the next couple of months, but at some point we'll have to focus on the 2014 car," he said. "We can't risk losing another year."

In terms of his development as an F1 driver, however, Perez admitted that 2013 has not been a totally 'lost' year.

"I think I'm happy," he said, "because I've learned a lot, and grown a lot as a driver. Even though I have half the points that I had last year, I'm in a better position as a driver.

"When I came here with such a different car I realised that, compared to Jenson Button, I was not good enough," he is quoted by EFE news agency.

"So I had to learn about that and work at it. Now I'm driving very differently to how I was at Sauber."

Toyota made its name on the value and efficiency of its cars. Its chief executive, Akio Toyoda, now is earning a similar reputation for his compensation.

Mark Dowd, a lawyer who worked for the Obama administration team that oversaw the 2009 restructurings of General Motors and Chrysler Group, has been hired as assistant general counsel at the Association of Global Automakers.

The number of light vehicles on U.S. roads peaked at 236.

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2013 Toyota Yaris

The 2013 Toyota Yaris is a worthy contender in a segment that’s become much tougher. Its new sheetmetal has evolved from a too-cute jellybean into a more-upscale hatchback.

New For 2013

The Yaris is pretty much unchanged after a full 2012 redesign.

2013 Toyota Yaris | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

Ford is launching a two-year pilot program with the UAW and a UAW-affiliated retiree healthcare trust aimed at lowering medical costs for the automaker's active and retired hourly workers.

Tesla Motors, a long-speculated takeover target, just removed a barrier to a deal by paying off a federal government loan. The problem: For would-be suitors, it has also become the world's most expensive carmaker.