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Ford of Britain Managing Director Mark Ovenden will add the role of chairman to his job title when the division's chairman, Joe Greenwell, retires in April

Russia's car market posted growth of just 2% on last year in the month of February, according to data released by the Moscow-based AEB Automobile Manufacturers Committee (AEB AMC).

Audi aims for a "slight" increase in revenue this year after Europe's slumping market hit the brand's 2012 earnings.

Audi aims for a "slight" increase in revenue this year after Europe's slumping market hit the brand's 2012 earnings.

Volkswagen plans to introduce carbon dioxide-based air conditioning systems throughout its cars instead of the Honeywell refrigerant HFO-1234yf, which was created to meet tougher environmental standards.

The Volkswagen brand is off to a good sales start in 2012, with passenger car sales up 9.1 percent in the first two months.

Mercedes-Benz is again considering building a supermini wearing its own badges, rather than smart.

Volkswagen's Audi Group has posted financial results for calendar 2012 that, while including significant sales gains in the expected markets, reflect what was described at the presentation here in Ingolstadt as an "increasingly difficult economic environment".

Volvo sold 8,719 vehicles in China in January and February to establish China as Volvo's second-biggest market after the United States. Sales in China were strong enough to outpace Sweden, where Volvo sold 6,847 units in the first two months.

Magna International's roof systems business falls under the auspices of Magna Steyr. Continuing just-auto's interviews with global manufacturers of roof systems, Matthew Beecham talked with Johann Ecker, president, Magna Steyr roof systems.

PSA aims to shift the positioning of its two brands further apart, although analysts are skeptical of the move. Peugeot and Citroen cars chase a very similar customer base, which has been a problem for the French automaker for a long time.

From GMM

Despite vowing never to race on two wheels again, former Formula World Champîon Michael Schumacher is back on the saddle of a powerful racing motorcycle.

German reports say the newly re-retired seven time world champion tried to keep his test outing this week at the Valencia circuit strictly secret.

But DPA news agency, and other news outlets, say Schumacher was definitely at full speed on a 220 horse power Honda, with the Holzhauer team.

In 2009 - during his first retirement from F1 - Schumacher was seriously injured when he crashed a similar bike.

It prevented him from filling in for Felipe Massa following the Brazilian's Hungaroring qualifying crash, and Schumacher vowed never to return to full speed on two wheels again.

Michael Schumacher. (Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team)

His manager Sabine Kehm says now: "Yes, he rides motorcycles again but he will not race anymore."

Speed Week claims Schumacher's best test lap at Valencia was only 4 seconds slower than the very best motorcycle racers in action on the same day.

Schumacher has revealed he will be watching this weekend's F1 season opener from the comfort of his lounge.

"I'm obviously still closely connected to the Mercedes team," he told his website this week, "but not in a specific role and not at the track."

Caterham F1 Team has provided the motorsport medias with some very interesting technical information about running a Formula 1 car on the street circuit of Albert Park, home of the maiden Grand Prix of the season in Australia.

Here below is the track map with the turn numbers, and for some of them the gear selected, speed and lateral g forces.

Image: Caterham F1 Team/Renault Sport F1

Here below is an example of a complete lap of the Caterham F1 car around the 5.303km circuit of Albert Park. The graph has been provided by Renault Sport F1. This is exactly what the Renault engineers are watching all the time when the car is out on the race track. The data is provided live by the telemetry system of the car.

Image: Caterham F1 Team/Renault Sport F1

Red line: Engine speed (note the slight drop in RPMs during the gear changes. Lowest RPM is 10,000)
Black line: Speed of the car in kph (fastest speed is 330 kph, slowest speed is 80)
Green line: Lateral g's (ranging from +4 g's to -4)
Pink line: Gear selected
Yellow line: Percentage of throttle (0 being off the throttle, and 100% being throttle fully open)
Orange line: Pressure on the brake pedal

From press release

Known by motorsport enthusiasts for its numerous karting races, Montreal's Kart-O-Mania complex is organizing a new and exclusive event on March 29th at 6pm to benefit the Sainte-Justine UHC Foundation.

Tickets for this Grand Prix karting race will be sold for $60 each with all profits going to the Sainte-Justine UHC Foundation.

(Photo: Phlippe Champoux)

This special activity is the brainchild of Kart-O-Mania owners in an effort to lend their support to Gabriel, who was diagnosed with Infantile Spasms, a rare form of epilepsy, at the young age of 5 months.

Gabriel was fortunate enough to be diagnosed and immediately treated thanks to the Neurology Department at the Sainte-Justine UHC. He is now 16 months old and has made tremendous progress over the past year. Gabriel's weekly physiotherapy and occupational therapy sessions have helped him reach some of his inch-stones. He has a long road ahead of him but Gabriel is a fighter and will battle so he can live a normal and healthy life.

Thanks to public donations, the Sainte-Justine UHC Foundation is able to help kids like Gabriel right where is counts : in the hospital. The funds raised at the Kart-O-Mania event will go directly to the Neurology Department at the Sainte-Justine UHC.

Ticket price includes a thirty-minute Grand Prix karting race, canapés by caterers Buona Notte Traiteur, and door prizes contributed by Uggs, Créations Paul H, Santa Maria Foods, and David's Tea.

The public is invited to this special event on March 29th, at 6pm, at the Kart-O-Mania complex, located at 5196 de la Savane Street (corner of Décarie) in Montreal.

From GMM

Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne need to really shine if they are to be promoted by Red Bull.

That is the claim of Jacques Villeneuve, the outspoken 1997 world champion turned television pundit.

Youngsters Ricciardo and Vergne have been given a second full season each at Red Bull's junior team Toro Rosso, but Villeneuve thinks they face a tough task to prove they should be slotted in for 2014 alongside Sebastian Vettel.

Jean-Eric Vergne, Toro Rosso STR8. (Photo: WRi2)

"They would need at least a podium," the 41-year-old French Canadian is quoted by RMC Sport.

"Vettel got there because he won a race with Toro Rosso. Many young drivers have been there (Toro Rosso) and most of them did nothing. Vergne needs to show that he is able to stand out; to be like Alonso or Vettel. Being a Webber is not enough," added Villeneuve.

Stefan Wilson, younger brother of Justin, will be testing for Dale Coyne Racing in day 2 of the official IZOD IndyCar's pre-season test at Barber Motorsports Park on Wednesday.

Veteran IndyCar driver and former Formula 1 driver Justin Wilson is 11 years older than his brother and if the two were to become teammates it would be a first.

According to reports, Stefan, who finished third in the ranking of the Indy Lights Series in 2011, has secured enough sponsorship to run a partial calendar in 2013.

Former Dreyer & Reinbold and Andretti Autosport driver Ana Beatriz will take the second Coyne car on day one on Tuesday. Justin Wilson will run both days.

Minivan production at the Chrysler assembly plant in Windsor, Ontario, has been reduced to three 4-hour shifts this week.

Chrysler spokeswoman Jodi Tinson said normal production will return on March 18th. Apparently, the slowdown was intended "to align production with market demand."

As of March 1st, Chrysler had unsold inventory of 24,713 Chrysler Town & Countrys (a 69-day supply) and 18,547 Dodge Grand Caravans (a 43-day supply), according to Automotive News.

Combined sales of both minivans were down 15% through the first two months of 2013.

Source: Automotive News

After making its Canadian debut at the MIAS in January, the all-new 2014 Subaru Forester is now arriving at dealerships nationwide with a base MSRP of $25,995 for 2.5i models, and $32,495 for 2.0XT models.

The roomier interior of the 2014 Subaru Forester creates a longer distance between the front occupants and the instrument panel. In the back, the 25-millimetre longer wheelbase results in extra legroom.

Once again, 2.5i models use a 170-horsepower, 2.5L boxer engine that achieves 6.2L/100km on the highway according to Subaru. Meanwhile, 2.0XT models get a 250-horsepower, 2.0L turbocharged variant (same engine as the BRZ sports coupe).

Other notable features inside the 2014 Subaru Forester include a standard tilt/telescoping steering column, 2,115 litres of cargo room (with the rear seats down), and more comfortable front buckets.

Photo: Subaru

From GMM

Kimi Raikkonen's mother says her son is once again enjoying formula one, after his rallying sabattical in 2010 and 2011.

The famous Finn burst back into F1 with Lotus last year, earning legions of new fans who enjoy his unique personality, and finishing a surprise third in the world championship.

Kimi Räikkönen, Lotus E21. (Photo: WRi2)

Raikkonen's mother, Paula, said she was surprised late in 2011 when she read rumours her 33-year-old son was thinking about returning to F1.

I had heard rumours of his talks with Williams, so I asked him about it," she is quoted by the Finnish broadcaster MTV3.

"He said he would prefer to go to Lotus, because it was a better option for him. It was a surprise," she said.

"His friends had told me that he stopped formula one because he was tired (of it), and then suddenly he went back. I think the little break was a good thing, because now he seems to be enjoying the racing again," she added.

Ford will voluntarily recall 859 vehicles in Canada due to a problem with the left rear door child lock. Affected models include the 2013 Ford Escape, C-MAX and Focus.

In some cases, that lock may not engage when the owner uses normal turning force. As a result, the door can be opened using the inside door handle. This condition could potentially increase the risk of injury to an unrestrained child.

Ford dealers will therefore inspect the door latch and replace it if necessary.

Source: Transports Canada