Auto News 5

Ford vehicles assembled in China and the rest of Asia now outnumber those built in Europe for the first time as the automaker strives to grow in emerging markets in the region.

Maruti Suzuki sold 104,964 cars in September 2013 including 14,565 exports, up 11.7% year on year.

Spanish car sales rose 29 percent in September, boosted by a government subsidy plan.

Geely's Volvo Cars has appointed former IKEA chief Mikael Ohlsson to its board of directors effective today (1 October).

Daimler will open a new plant in Brazil to build Mercedes cars. The plant will produce the C class sedan and GLA compact SUV.

Daimler will open a new plant in Brazil to build Mercedes cars, a source said. The new plant will produce the C class and GLA.

Mercedes-Benz will announce plans to return to making cars in Brazil, two years after ceasing production in the country, a person familiar with the matter said.

China's Changan plans to begin car sales next year in Russia and has signed a deal with a local distributor to sell 12,000 vehicles there in 2014, a report said.

What is it?

We can all agree that the original Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser trucks have made it in the U.S.

News 1 Oct, 2013

The new MINI Cooper S has been caught completely undisguised while on an advertising shoot

General Motors is reported to have a pension fund obligation shortfall of some US$71bn, which exceeds the value of the company itself by US$20bn, a new report states.

French auto registrations rose 3 percent last month, led by Renault, Fiat and Mercedes, fueling hopes that auto demand may finally stabilize in one of the markets worst hit by Europe's sustained slump.

Vehicle sales in Turkey may rise to 860,000 units this year from 777,761 in 2012, an industry body predicted.

Mercedes-Benz hypes stabilization technology by showcasing chickens bopping to the beat of "Upside Down" by Diana Ross.

From GMM

Nico Hulkenberg's weight could dent his chances of securing a McLaren seat in 2014.

Earlier this year, it emerged that the tall German's feet were a squeeze in the footwell of the Sauber.

Now, with Sergio Perez's place in doubt, Hulkenberg's candidature could end simply because he weighs in at 74 kg.

Amid rumours Perez's Mexican sponsors are behind in their payments to McLaren, Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that yet another problem for Perez is the possible identity of the Woking based team's next title sponsor.

It had been expected the departing Vodafone's successor would be a Mexican company, but the latest news is that the razor company Gillette is in fact in pole position.

Photo: McLaren F1 Team

However, Germany's Sport Bild reports that McLaren is concerned Hulkenberg - a logical candidate to replace Perez - weighs too much for its 2014 car, which due to the radical new powertrain regulations will weigh almost 50 kilograms more than this year's single seaters.

The mandatory minimum weight of the cars is being increased, but not by as much as the expected weight increases of the new technology.

Even last year, the tall Mark Webber had complained: "(I) haven't eaten for the last 5 years! Minimum weight has been too low for ages. Perfect driver weight now 60-65kg."

Nico Hulkenberg is also in contention for the Lotus seat being vacated by Kimi Raikkonen, but another contender is the newly Brazilian sponsor-backed Felipe Massa.

It is believed Hulkenberg sees Sahara Force India - his 2012 employer - as a fallback option, and that the Silverstone based team is prepared to replace the underperforming Paul di Resta.

But another candidate for a Force India seat next year is the McLaren-backed rookie Kevin Magnussen, according to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

Respected correspondent Michael Schmidt said the young Dane could even be the frontrunner, because Sahara Force India apparently owes McLaren money for past supplies of transmissions and hydraulics.

The Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) has launched its annual campaign to increase pedestrian awareness about the importance of being vigilant.

Using the slogan “Distraction, carelessness and impatience can leave marks,” the SAAQ wants pedestrians to remember to obey traffic signs and signals, cross at intersections, and beware of heavy vehicle blind spots.

What's more, law enforcement agencies in several municipalities across the province will lead operations on pedestrian safety. These initiatives encourage obeying traffic rules with special emphasis on the importance of vigilance and courtesy on the road for both pedestrians and drivers.

Owners of 2013-2014 Audi A8, S6, and S7 models should be aware of a new recall that affects 61 vehicles in Canada. The sunroof may have been manufactured incorrectly and could eventually break, unsettling the driver and potentially leading to injuries or a crash. Dealers will therefore replace the sunroof glass panel.

Moreover, on 372 Audi S6 and S7 models from the same model years, a fuel line can become damaged over time due to a manufacturing defect. Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, could lead to a fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Audi dealers will inspect and replace the fuel line if necessary.

Source: Transports Canada

Longtime IndyCar Series partner IZOD will end its run as title sponsor at the end of the current 2013 season, officials have announced.

Izod joined the IndyCar Series in 2008 as its official apparel provider and became the series title sponsor in 2010.

IndyCar officials are looking at possible replacements for the apparel company but according to sources, there is still a long way to go before the series could find another company that would be willing to take over.

Photo: IndyCar

The iconic and ground-breaking Ford Model T went on sale on October 1st, 1908 at a price of $850. It was Henry Ford's ninth production model, but the first built for mass market (most cars at the time cost $2,000 or more).

The original Model T had a 20-horsepower, 4-cylinder engine allowing a top speed of approximately 45 mph (72 km/h). It achieved about 13-21 mpg (equivalent to 11-18L/100km).

Nine body styles were available, all on the same chassis. Thanks to the savings from Ford's production innovations, the Model T eventually dropped to just $260.

From 1908 to 1927, 16.5 million units were sold across the globe. It still is the eighth-best selling car of all time.

Photo: Ford