Google sees self-driving cars being available to consumers in three to five years. Regulators and the insurance industry aren't so sure it can happen that quickly. States may have to decide how to license machines rather than people.
Mazda and Subaru are in the best position to benefit from the weakening yen, raising their earnings forecasts today as exported goods generate more cash.
EDITOR WES RAYNAL: A turbo four-cylinder with 259-hp? The notion one could get 30 mpg on the highway from what is a good-looking, well-built, semi large sedan is impressive.
New-car registrations in the UK rose 11.5 percent to 143,643 in January as the market continued to buck the downward trend in other key European markets.
Pininfarina has created a concept car named Sergio to pay tribute to the company's longtime CEO Sergio Pininfarina. The car will be unveiled at next month's Geneva auto show.
Delphi has posted a US$1.1bn profit for 2012 despite a slump in the fourth quarter caused by restructuring costs. The company has also forecast an increase in 2013 results.
Nissan intends to double the number of engineers at its Chennai R&D centre to about 4,000, and produce its first "made-in-India" car in the next five to six years.Nissan intends to double the number of engineers at its Chennai R&D centre to about 4,000, and produce its first "made-in-India" car in the next five to six years.Nissan intends to double the number of engineers at its Chennai R&D centre to about 4,000, and produce its first "made-in-India" car in the next five to six years.
Tata Motors is reportedly working on a premium small car likely to be built on the refurbished Indica platform. The company will launch the hatchback, dubbed "X0", in 2015 to compete with Ford and Maruti Suzuki models.
In NASCAR those teams which qualify for a race and put their cars in the garage after a few laps are known as “start and parks.” Using a loophole merely qualifying for a race pays a large purse and allowing the owner to go home early with nice paycheck.
Many teams have been using this loophole to earn millions of dollars. But NASCAR officials and fans disdain this practice as unsportsmanlike.
On Tuesday in Detroit NASCAR president Mike Helton announced a rules change designed to tighten up that loophole. Money previously paid in to car owners who record a finishing position from 43rd to 39th will receive $4,000 less each.
"We moved prize money higher in the purse, so if someone's intent is solely to run a lap or two and park, the revenue stream shrinks,'' said Helton.
The $20,000 deducted from the lowest finishers will be redistributed to among the first 38 positions according to NASCAR officials.
Texas Motor Speedway track president Eddie Gossage thinks the purse revision is more of a bandage rather than major surgery.
"That does not close the loophole,'' he said. "They're [NASCAR] trying to have their cake and eat it, too. This doesn't fix it. It does a little bit, but it doesn't fix it.
"Will we still see start-and-park teams? Yeah. They're making a bunch of money.''
At a media breakfast at Texas Motor Speedway Gossage said he found a source which said that $17 million was paid to start and park teams last year
On March 5th, Suzuki will use the Geneva Motor Show to host the world premiere of a new compact crossover inspired from the S-Cross concept. The latter appeared at the Paris Auto Show last September.
No official name has been provided yet, but expect a roomy interior, class-leading cargo capacity, exceptional handling, and a unique driving experience, Suzuki says.
Other models on display at the Suzuki stand in Geneva will include the Alto, Splash, Swift, SX4, Jimmy, Grand Vitara, and Kisashi.
Marussia finally confirms Luiz Razia as race driver for the 2013 season, alongside Max Chilton.
The 23-year-old Brazilian, runner-up in 2012 GP2 Series and Virgin F1 (Marussia) reserve driver in 2010, will be testing the newly-launched MR02 car this Wednesday at Jerez.
Luiz Razia. (Photo: Marussia F1 Team)
John Booth, Team Principal, says: "We are pleased to have concluded our driver line-up, which means that we can now focus all our attentions on what looks set to be a very promising 2013 season. Luiz isn't new to our Team of course, having been Reserve Driver in our debut season in 2010 and part of our Young Driver Programme. It is therefore very pleasing to have not one but two graduates of that Programme driving for us in 2013, and also very exciting, since both Luiz and Max demonstrated a great deal of potential competing alongside each other in GP2 last season. When Luiz moved to GP2 in 2011, we had every expectation that he would progress to the extent that he has. He is a very quick and tenacious driver who battled hard to the runner-up spot last year. Together with Max, we are fielding a young but incredibly ambitious pairing and we look forward to seeing what they can achieve."
Luiz Razia, race driver #22, adds: "It is fantastic to be back with the Marussia F1 Team and with pretty much the same group of people I worked with back in 2010 when I was Reserve Driver. I am very proud to take the step up to a Formula 1 race seat, particularly with the Team I began this journey with, since they helped show me what it takes to progress to the highest level. I am looking forward to beginning that process in Jerez where we are testing the MR02 for the first time. I am also looking forward to the first race in Melbourne and I'm excited to be racing alongside Max, who I competed ‘against' last season. This is an important year for the Marussia F1 Team in terms of maintaining the momentum from a very positive 2012 season. I look forward to making a valuable contribution to that.”
Ninety-five Lotus Elise and Exige sports cars from 2006-2007 are being recalled due to engine oil cooler lines that could fail and cause a leak.
Oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, which could result in a fire. Oil may also be sprayed onto the tires and/or brakes, which could adversely affect vehicle stability.
Lotus dealers will replace the engine oil cooler lines if necessary.
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