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News 23 Dec, 2013

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It has been another busy year for us on just-auto. We have covered the global automotive industry news, brought you interviews with key people, analysis and comment of what matters. Editor Dave Leggett reviews some of the main events, the highs and lows, the stand-outs and offers just a hint of what might be in store for 2014.

News 23 Dec, 2013

Almost £600 million has been raked in by local authorities from parking activities

For every gearhead, from the average to the hardcore, a solid collection of wrenches is essential for the completion of almost any mechanical automotive repair (not to mention quite a few jobs around the house).

Ian Callum never grew up a rich boy, but his friends did. His father worked as a lawyer in Dumfries, a market town of 43,000 in the lower corner of Scotland, where the Solway Firth narrows to a point.

Chris Perry resigned last week as Chevrolet's top U.S. marketer, part of an ongoing overhaul of the bow-tie brand's executive ranks.

It's rare for a seller to reverse course after negotiations are settled. When that does happen, it becomes difficult to reconstruct an offer with the same buyer later or even get as good an offer from a new buyer, brokers say.

Joe Eberhardt, named last week as president of Jaguar Land Rover North America, faces the challenge of improving not only the sales but the image of the two luxury brands he'll lead in the U.S. market.

In Japan, the hybrid version of the Honda Vezel is expected to account for 90 percent of sales of the new Fit-based compact crossover. Not so in the United States.

Bar mitzvahs, runway fashion shows, fundraisers, dinners and after-parties are among the events held at Porsche of Beachwood in Beachwood, Ohio.

Three vendors that assist auto dealers with digital marketing got cash infusions this month or were acquired.

The federal government is sending a clear message to auto lenders: It's time for them to rethink the way they pay dealers for arranging loans. The 3-year-old Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the U.S.

Sales of certified used vehicles are heading for a record 2 million-plus units this year, pumped up by more off-lease vehicles returning to the market and by manufacturers' program enhancements.

Emotions can play as powerful a role in selling a dealership as dollars and cents do. Many brokers and buyers now recognize the importance of managing a seller's emotions.

From GMM

Kimi Raikkonen, not the Ferrari incumbent Fernando Alonso, will get the first on-track taste of the Italian team's 2014 car.

That is the claim of Italian media sources including La Gazzetta dello Sport, reporting that Finn Raikkonen will debut the new red single seater on the first two test days at Jerez in late January.

Spaniard Alonso, who until now has been regarded as Ferrari's clear 'number 1' driver, will make his debut in the 2014 car later in the same test, completing the four-day session.

Raikkonen, arriving from Lotus, has recently been recovering from back surgery that meant he missed the final two races of the 2013 season.

"He is returning to us because we have new technical regulations next year and we need an experienced driver next to Alonso," Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo is quoted by Germany's Welt newspaper.

Kimi Raikkonen is back at Ferrari (Photo: Ferrari)

"I am convinced that Kimi Raikkonen will meet our requirements better than Felipe Massa.

"Some people are calling it a big risk," he added, "but I have been here since the early 70s and I know that risk is something you have to live with in formula one."

Montezemolo is referring to suggestions that, while Alonso and Massa was a harmonious pairing, adding 2007 world champion Raikkonen to the lineup might only further antagonise the already frustrated Alonso.

Spaniard Alonso, however, has played down claims he is already stamping his feet about having to take on Raikkonen.

"I'm excited to work with him," Brazil's Agencia Estado quotes him as saying, "because he has an extraordinary talent and he is Ferrari's last champion.

"I can learn a lot from him," Alonso added.

He said it is wrong to say Ferrari's new driver lineup will be too explosive.

"I cannot comment," he is quoted by Spain's El Pais, "because I don't know him, I haven't worked on a team with him or shared more than 10 minutes with him."

Some days ago, Alonso suggested Ferrari will "miss" Brazilian Massa's devoted efforts and open personality, which was interpreted by some as an early slight against Raikkonen.

"I'm not at all worried about such things," Montezemolo is quoted by Finland's Turun Sanomat.

"Kimi will be Kimi, the same driver he has always been. If he spoke a lot, he would not be Kimi.

"I can see he is very motivated to be with Ferrari again, after he had to pause for a while after his last period with Ferrari," Montezemolo explained.

"That was very important for him, as he came back very hungry for success."

He insisted Raikkonen will even be happy to work in Ferrari's new driver simulator, despite earlier reports that said the Finn is no fan of the technology.

"We now have a pretty good simulator at our disposal, and I think Raikkonen is happy to work with it," said Montezemolo.

He stopped short of saying Alonso remains the number 1, but he did allude to a hierarchy: "I think Fernando is the strongest racing driver in the world.

Di Montezemolo: Alonso is the strongest driver in the world (Photo: WRi2)

"He has a highly motivated new teammate. I look forward to both drivers getting a lot of points, so that we can fight back in the constructors' championship," said Montezemolo.

And he is not expecting fireworks between the pair.

"(Team boss Stefano) Domenicali has been very clear with them," Montezemolo is quoted by France's autohebdo.fr.

"They have the honour and responsibility to drive for Ferrari. If drivers want to drive for themselves, they can make their own team or they can move somewhere else.

"But at Ferrari, there are very clear rules," he insisted.

Is Fernando Alonso number one or not?

Every year, a number of automakers release special videos during the holiday season. Auto123.com has compiled some of them for you to enjoy and share -- because, you know, that's the Christmas spirit.

Happy holidays and drive safely!

Opel

Continue reading Holiday videos from Lexus, Audi, Opel, and more!

From GMM

Gerard Lopez, the owner of the Lotus outfit, believes the vast majority of the teams in formula one are struggling financially.

Lotus' problems have had a high profile in 2013, as the Enstone based team thrived with a competitive car but tackled rumours it was struggling to pay its drivers, employees and suppliers.

But the Russian website f1news.ru quoted Lopez as insisting: "For 80 per cent of the teams, their financial situation is no better than ours.

"If half of those teams say they are leaving formula one, it would lead to the collapse of the championship," he claimed.

Lopez said it is extraordinarily difficult for a team to raise money through investment or traditional sponsorship at present.

"I can go to potential investors and say 'I want to sell millions of cars running on renewable energy and hybrid technology' and they tell me 'Wow! Let's see what we can do!'

"But if I say that I want money for formula one, to participate in one of the biggest sporting events in the world, you don't get the same answer," he added.

From GMM

Toro Rosso has tweaked its approach to formula one because it wants to take a step up in the pecking order.

That is the claim of the Faenza based team's Jean-Eric Vergne, who after missing out on the Red Bull vacancy for 2014 has been retained by Toro Rosso.

That surprised many in the paddock, who have seen drivers like Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari perform solidly, but nonetheless lose their places as team owner Red Bull pushes a new generation of youngsters into the seats.

The latest energy drink-sponsored youngster to get his chance is the Russian teen Daniil Kvyat, but for Frenchman Vergne, 2014 will be his third consecutive season with Toro Rosso.

Jean-Eric Vergne, Toro Rosso STR8 (Photo: Getty Images)

"The picture with Toro Rosso is that it was a team that has drivers for a year or two but then they have to move on, so it's like a stepping stone team," Vergne, 23, told the Spanish sports daily Marca.

"But I think the philosophy has changed lately because Toro Rosso wants to go a step higher.

"Now, the feeling is that you can spend more time with them, developing for some years together. So I think that if I'm still with them, it's because they believe I can give them something that other drivers cannot," said Vergne.

Meanwhile, Vergne said he believes Red Bull remains the favourite for the 2014 season, despite some tipping an advantage for Ferrari and Mercedes in the new turbo V6 era.

"Aerodynamics is always the key," he said.

"I think Red Bull is still the favourite. They've been working on the new car for a while and I think it will be very strong -- but it will be an interesting year," added Vergne.

Toyota Canada has just released pricing for the 2014 Toyota Highlander, which will arrive at dealerships across the country early next year.

All trim levels are powered by a 3.5L V6 engine and offer 34% more cargo room behind the third row. They also come with a 6.1'' audio display and the new Easy Speak system, which facilitates conversation between passengers in the front and rear seats.

2014 Toyota Highlander prices:

• Highlander LE: $31,680
• Highlander LE AWD: $34,180
• Highlander XLE AWD: $39,900
• Highlander Limited AWD: $45,100

Photo: Toyota