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Mitsubishi Motors has posted increased sales and profits for the first half of its 2013 fiscal year to 31 March, 2014 and revised full year sales down but profits up.

Supply chain optimisation is becoming accepted as a vital tool for improving vehicle manufacturers' production efficiency and, ultimately, profitability. Matthew Beecham catches up with Brad Brennan, managing director of emergency logistics specialist Evolution Time Critical, who explains the critical role played by supply chain contingency.

Michelin has posted a drop in third quarter net sales down 5.8% from EUR5.44bn (US$7.5bn) to EUR5.12bn, while nine-month sales also dropped 5.3% to EUR15.3bn.

It seems like we say this every year, but this year it's truly fitting: this was the best Art Center Car Classic ever.

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Fiat Group has acquired the remaining half of VM Motori, a diesel engine manufacturer, from GM for 34.1 million euros.

Honda embraces optical illusionist M.C. Escher in its latest spot, "An Impossible Made Possible," and rockets to the top of our weekly viral video round-up.

BMW does not intend to increase its stake in SGL Group, the carbon fiber materials supplier the automaker works with to create the passenger cabin for its i3 electric car and its i8 plug-in hybrid.

BMW has joined VW in backing the German government's goal to have 1 million electric cars on the country's roads by 2020.

Audi CEO Rupert Stadler said that western European auto markets will not recover before the end of the decade.

Photographers have caught their first glimpses of Audi's third-generation TT coupe, expected to go on sale in Europe in the second half of 2014 and in the United States the next year.

Renault will sell about 10,000 units of its Zoe subcompact electric car this year, well below its target of 50,000 deliveries, according to market analyst Inovev.

Land Rover may rebadge its next Freelander medium SUV as a Discovery, creating a subbrand for Land Rover, with the new vehicle slotting in below the current Discovery large SUV.

Land Rover may rebadge its next Freelander medium SUV as a Discovery, creating a sub-brand for Land Rover, with the new vehicle slotting in below the current Discovery large SUV.

Sebastien Loeb Racing, which runs a pair of McLaren MP4-12Cs in various GT endurance series, is angry with the famed British sports car manufacturer.

After it finished third in the final round of the FFSA GT French Championship last Sunday at the Paul Ricard circuit in France, the No. 19 McLaren MP4-12C ran by Sébastien Loeb Racing was disqualified at the technical inspection due to a problem with the turbo pressure.

It was not the first time this season that Loeb's team was disqualified following the technical inspection in the FIA GT Series and the French GT Championship.

McLaren MP4-12C of Sebastien Loeb Racing. (Photo: WRI2)

The French team published this press release following this last incident.

“At Nogaro, Zandvoort, Magny-Cours and this Sunday at Paul Ricard, one of our McLarens was disqualified following the technical inspection, either in qualifying or after the race.,” recalls Dominique Heintz, Sebastien Loeb Racing team manager.

“We have been patient but the situation is no longer tolerable. Today, I'm clearly very disappointed, and even furious. The entire team shares my sentiments. I'm upset because all the guys on the team give their all every day to get the best results, and because Sebastien and Christophe Lapierre had a great race and took risks...all for nothing!

“These disqualifications are not attributable to our technical team or something our mechanics have done. It's McLaren's fault and their engineers have stated it. This has cost us relatively important results depending on the case, including a podium finish this past Sunday. Not being at fault for these issues, we still suffer the consequences, and we are annoyed to suffer these.

“The McLaren MP4-12C is a car that we like in terms of pure performance, but these types of issues shouldn't keep happening and that's why we will contact McLaren management as soon as Monday. We've already alerted them to the situation and today it's time they take action. Solutions must be found.”

From GMM

Mercedes on Tuesday refused to confirm or deny the latest speculation about Ross Brawn's future.

Former F1 team owner and boss Eddie Jordan, who now works as a pundit for British television BBC and has a reputation for getting his predictions right, said the 58-year-old Briton is carrying ahead with his threat to leave the Brackley based team at the end of the season.

In Japan, Ross Brawn warned he might exit if his position as team principal is not confirmed.

And last weekend in India, he admitted the transition to Paddy Lowe running the team will take place "at some point".

"Now we are having discussions about what is the best solution for the team in the future," Brawn told F1's official website a few days ago. "When we are ready we will let everybody know."

Ross Brawn, Mercedes AMG Team principal. (Photo: WRi2)

Jordan's prediction on Tuesday, however, has only reinforced the perception in the paddock that Brawn's mind is already made up.

Still, Mercedes is saying nothing.

"A spokesman did not comment specifically on the story," a report by the Press Association news agency said on Tuesday.

The spokesman reportedly added that a decision about Brawn's future is still not due until the end of the season.

From GMM

Sebastian Vettel halted his title-winning party in India to help his mechanics pack up the Red Bull garage, it has emerged.

Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Tobias Gruner said he stopped by the team's garage in the hours after the race to congratulate his countryman.

"Unfortunately I can't shake your hand," Vettel reportedly told Gruner, "because mine are completely dirty!"

Bild newspaper said Vettel decided to help his colleagues so that they would have more time to join him at the celebratory party, held at the Radisson hotel.

A Red Bull mechanic told the Independent newspaper: "I really wish people could see this side of the guy."

Photo: WRi2

Undoubtedly, however, Vettel's struggle for popularity is not just about his personality. Some question whether he really does stack up against F1's legends like Schumacher, Fangio, Prost and Senna.

Asked if the 26-year-old has only won four titles because Adrian Newey outpaces the rest of the field, Bernie Ecclestone answered: "I don't think so.

"Actually, if anything it's the opposite. Although it's undeniable that the machine has a big role in formula one," he is quoted by Repubblica newspaper.

Sebastien Buemi, Red Bull's reserve driver, told Brazil's O Estado de S.Paulo that Vettel works hard for his success.

"When he wins a race, the next day he's already at the factory, working on the simulator for the next race," said the Swiss. "It's not true that he wins just because he has a great car. If the image of the car was the one Mark (Webber) gave it, it definitely wouldn't be the same."

Vettel's former technical boss at Toro Rosso, Giorgio Ascanelli, said: "Sebastian reminds me of Ayrton (Senna)." In the 80s, the Italian was the great Senna's race engineer.

"He (Vettel) lives to be a driver. Like Senna, he also hates to lose. He was designed to win. Any other outcome means nothing," Ascanelli added.

Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko told Der Spiegel: "In Formula BMW, Sebastian won 18 of the 20 races, but the only thing he thought about was why he didn't win those two races."

Photo: WRi2

Vettel's Indian grand prix victory on Sunday was his fifth on the trot, his tenth of the season, and the 36th in his F1 career.

Hans-Joachim Stuck, a German motor racing legend, thinks Vettel can beat Michael Schumacher's all-time record of 91 wins.

"I think he can get 15 titles as well. Why not?" Stuck told Austrian Servus TV. "He is still incredibly young, so it's easily possible."

Meanwhile, Blick newspaper reports that although Vettel was scheduled to touch down in Zurich early on Monday, the only F1 driver on the flight from Delhi was in fact his friend Kimi Raikkonen.

In an effort to promote its new CR-V 1.6 Diesel in Europe, Honda came up with this mind-boggling advertisement that uses various optical illusions.

Unfortunately, the Honda CR-V 1.6 Diesel won't be available in Canada.

Everybody -- and I mean everybody -- wants to live comfortably. A roof over our heads, nice clothes, decent cars and enough disposable income to eat out a few times a week. Of these, the majority would like to have that much more but, sadly, Sunseeker yacht and Armani dreams are out of our grasps.

Or are they?

What we common folk really desire is the lifestyle, the feeling that comes with having nice things. Nice things are attainable, but need not necessarily be new. It is for this very reason that Porsche has an “Approved” program.

In their infinite wisdom, Porsche came up (as have other carmakers) with a factory-backed package where used cars are inspected and given a seal of “approval” as a certified used purchase with a Porsche warranty and 24-hour roadside assistance.

Photo: Olivier Delorme

2010 Porsche 911 Targa 4S
What do all used cars have in common? They're far more affordable than a new car. It is with this in mind that Porsche Canada put a 2010 997 911 Targa 4S on their press fleet. This Arctic silver 6-speed unit travelled just under 29,000km, but by the looks of it, could have only covered 29.

Back in 2010, this 911 sported a sticker price of just over $143,500 with accessories such as 19” Turbo wheels and the Sport Chrono Package Plus. This same car can now be had for $92,500. This is a 35% price drop that no one needs to know about. All your neighbours will know is that you now own a Porsche.

This may come as a surprise, but Porsche cars are actually fairly reliable (by sports and exotic car standards) and reasonably economical. No word of a lie.

The question that begs an answer is: Does a “gently used Porsche” drive as it should?

In short, yes. The long of it is that I so enjoyed the 3-year-old 911 that I'd never felt like I wanted to own one more. This 911 was every bit as quick, sharp, and infinitely rewarding as would be a new example. The 3.8L flat-6's 385 horsepower were all accounted for and the powerful brakes felt as good as any brand spanking new Porsche I've ever tested.

This car was inspected, as they all are, by Porsche technicians. They follow stringent guidelines to make certain that each 911, Cayman, Boxster, and the like is up to snuff and worthy of being a Porsche Approved Certified Pre-owned car. This one undoubtedly was.

The car was not perfect: One small trim piece surrounding the centre console was loose. Then again, I've had week-long test drives with very new cars from other makes that had many quality control issues.

Porsche holds a special place in the automotive world and regardless of which generation or vintage you own or drive (save perhaps for the 996...), you're a winner. To therefore place any Porsche in your driveway is to be part of a special group. To belong is to be part of and to embrace the lifestyle.

2010 Porsche 911 Targa 4S. (Photo: Olivier Delorme)

Porsche Bike S
On that subject, Porsche has more to offer the budding fan of the brand. As a cycling enthusiast, you may be in the market for a new bicycle. Should this be the case, Porsche has you covered.

This time, new is the way to go. A $5,000 investment gets you a Porsche Bike S made of hydroformed aluminum with a fork fashioned in carbon. A Shimano Alfine 11-speed hub gear system handles forward momentum with the help of a low-wear geared belt drive. Hydraulic disc brakes round out the mechanicals.

As this is a Porsche, its inherent quality is immediately obvious. The same goes for riding the Bike S. The smooth rolling DT Swiss wheel with Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tires and belt drive are its best features. The whole of the way it operates is premium Porsche.

Note for the buttock sensitive: The Fizik Tundra seat is especially short on padding. Should you plan to ride quite a bit, consider the purchase of padded biking shorts.

If your budget permits, a Bike RS is also available. For a little more than $9,000, a lightweight frame with components all made of carbon along with Shimano XTR equipment with 20 speeds can be yours.

Porsche Design Bike S. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

The Porsche lifestyle
Yes, it can be yours as the price is right. Life is too short not to enjoy the finer things. With these two sets of wheels, life can be grand indeed!

From GMM

Dietrich Mateschitz has likened Fernando Alonso to legendary boxer Muhammad Ali.

The Red Bull magnate is referring to the fact that many regarded Ali as the master of trying to win with the help of 'psychological warfare'.

Ferrari driver Alonso's key psychological weapon in the Red Bull era might have been his constant suggestion that arch rival Sebastian Vettel wins because his car is superior.

"Like Muhammad Ali, Alonso's media statements are very deliberate," billionaire Mateschitz told Kronen Zeitung newspaper.

"He is the worst of all at the psychological warfare," he added.

Fernando Alonso detailing the Red Bull RB9. (Photo: WRi2)

Mateschitz's right hand man, Dr Helmut Marko, thinks Vettel's struggle for popularity this year - including numerous bouts of podium booing - is partly due to the psychological war.

"People like Fernando Alonso say Sebastian is not the best driver, he only has the best car," the Austrian told Der Spiegel.

"These are targeted political statements," Marko insisted.

However, he insists that there is no reason for Vettel to jump ship to another team, after four consecutive championship triumphs in a Red Bull.

"He will only change teams if we no longer build him a competitive car," said Helmut Marko.

"Why would he go to Ferrari or Mercedes now, especially since he would have Alonso or Hamilton as his teammate?

"I see no alternative for him at the moment other than us," added Marko.

"Ayrton Senna won all of his titles with McLaren, he never drove for Ferrari, but he didn't have an image problem because of it.

"Maybe it's cooler to win for Ferrari, but that's not easy at the moment," he insisted.

Meanwhile, Mateschitz - who watched Vettel secure his fourth title in India from the comfort of his Salzburg lounge room - admitted the moment was satisfying if not euphoric.

"Because we expected it, it was like celebrating Christmas over a week," he smiled. "It's not quite as exciting, but the joy is there every time."