Auto News 5

The management board and works council at Schaeffler Technologies have agreed on the transfer of wheel bearing production and 400 associated job cuts by 2016 at the bearing specialist's Schweinfurt location.

European new-car registrations rose by 5.5 percent in September, helped by a surge in UK sales and an extra working day. The increase provided fresh evidence that the region's slump may be slowly bottoming out.

Bosch aims to achieve an 8 percent return on sales in its automotive division within two years, despite seeing little improvement in the European car market this decade.

Last month, Fiat sold just 15 more cars in Europe than Skoda. The Italian marque is no longer one of Europe's top 10 brands by vehicle sales.

Ron Burgundy, the fictional anchorman portrayed by comedian Will Ferrell, wants to show you how good the Dodge Durango is.

“So the idea of the campaign is very simple -- hiring a guy who comes from the 1970s. And he's going to look at our advanced technology through the eyes of a guy who comes from the '70s,” Olivier Francois, Chrysler's chief marketing officer, was quoted as saying. “That was the creative design. That was the big idea.”

The various commercials, which debuted on October 5th, have generated quite a buzz on the internet. Will it translate into sales success?

Source: Automotive News

NASCAR officials announced the Sprint Car schedule for 2014 which is mostly unchanged from 2013 with some small exceptions.

Four tracks will undergo spring date changes: Texas Motor Speedway will hold its event one week earlier and move from Saturday (night) to Sunday (April 6). Darlington Raceway will feature its race on April 12. Kansas Speedway will hold its first NASCAR Sprint Cup Saturday night race, with its event shifting to May 10, while Martinsville Speedway will host the series on March 30, a week earlier than in 2013. 

Also NASCAR officials said that the Air Titan, the newest development in track drying and cleaning will be available all races in 2014.

“This season has delivered plenty of drama and excitement, and we're anticipating even more for our fans in 2014 now that the Gen-6 car has competed at every track,” said Steve O'Donnell, senior vice president of racing operations. “Having the Air Titan at each NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend allows us to meet a very important goal set by our Chairman and CEO, Brian France: to drastically decrease track-drying time to the best of our ability and ensure our fans in the stands and those watching on TV get to see each race on its scheduled day.”

Photo: NASCAR

2014 NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES SCHEDULE

Date  Site  Network
 
*2/15 Daytona International Speedway (Sprint Unlimited)  FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
2/16 Daytona International Speedway (Daytona 500 Qualifying)  FOX, MRN, SiriusXM
2/20 Daytona International Speedway (Duels)  FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
2/23 Daytona 500  FOX, MRN, SiriusXM
3/2 Phoenix International Raceway  FOX, MRN, SiriusXM
3/9 Las Vegas Motor Speedway  FOX, PRN, SiriusXM
3/16 Bristol Motor Speedway  FOX, PRN, SiriusXM
3/23 Auto Club Speedway  FOX, MRN, SiriusXM
3/30 Martinsville Speedway  FOX, MRN, SiriusXM
4/6 Texas Motor Speedway  FOX, PRN, SiriusXM
4/12 Darlington Raceway  FOX, MRN, SiriusXM
4/26 Richmond International Raceway  FOX, MRN, SiriusXM
5/4 Talladega Superspeedway  FOX, MRN, SiriusXM
5/10 Kansas Speedway  FOX, MRN, SiriusXM
*5/17 Charlotte Motor Speedway (NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race)  FOX Sports 1, MRN, SiriusXM
5/25 Charlotte Motor Speedway  FOX, PRN, SiriusXM
6/1 Dover International Speedway  FOX, MRN, SiriusXM
6/8 Pocono Raceway  TNT, MRN, SiriusXM
6/15 Michigan International Speedway  TNT, MRN, SiriusXM
6/22 Sonoma Raceway  TNT, PRN, SiriusXM
6/28 Kentucky Speedway  TNT, PRN, SiriusXM
7/5 Daytona International Speedway  TNT, MRN, SiriusXM
7/13 New Hampshire Motor Speedway  TNT, PRN, SiriusXM
7/27 Indianapolis Motor Speedway  ESPN, IMS, SiriusXM
8/3 Pocono Raceway  ESPN, MRN, SiriusXM
8/10 Watkins Glen International  ESPN, MRN, SiriusXM
8/17 Michigan International Speedway  ESPN, MRN, SiriusXM
8/23 Bristol Motor Speedway  ABC, PRN, SiriusXM
8/31 Atlanta Motor Speedway  ESPN, PRN, SiriusXM
9/6 Richmond International Raceway  ABC, MRN, SiriusXM
9/14 Chicagoland Speedway  ESPN, MRN, SiriusXM
9/21 New Hampshire Motor Speedway  ESPN, PRN, SiriusXM
9/28 Dover International Speedway  ESPN, MRN, SiriusXM
10/5 Kansas Speedway  ESPN, MRN, SiriusXM
10/11 Charlotte Motor Speedway  ABC, PRN, SiriusXM
10/19 Talladega Superspeedway  ESPN, MRN, SiriusXM
10/26 Martinsville Speedway  ESPN, MRN, SiriusXM
11/2 Texas Motor Speedway  ESPN, PRN, SiriusXM
11/9 Phoenix International Raceway  ESPN, MRN, SiriusXM
11/16 Homestead-Miami Speedway  ESPN, MRN, SiriusXM

*non points

Canadian automaker Magnum Cars will host the world premiere of its all-new, ultra-lightweight, high-performance sports car on October 30th. The track-oriented, street-legal Magnum MK5 will become the first Canadian model to break through the global supercar market.

Magnum Cars was founded in Quebec in 1968 by Jean-Pierre St-Jacques, a machinist and race car enthusiast who built Gilles Villeneuve's Formula Ford car in the early 1970s.

The company is now headed by his son, Bruno St-Jacques, a former Formula Ford and Formula Atlantic driver.

More details to come on the Magnum Cars Facebook page.

I've got good news for tire shoppers in Canada: Tire prices have dropped considerably over the last few seasons. In order to discourage cross-boarder shopping, tire manufacturers have lowered their prices to match U.S. retail prices as much as possible.

As such, the fact that price is always the No. 1 consideration when it comes to buying these expensive consumables is very good news.

As the winter season rapidly approaches, the questions are starting to roll in: “What winter tire should I buy?” To help you along with your shopping, I've devised a “best bang for the buck” line-up of tire suggestions.

As compact cars are very popular in Canada, I've selected the following P205/55R16 size as the yardstick. Keep in mind that these picks also apply to most cars, minivans and crossover vehicles.

Here are the top 2013 winter tire choices:

Best cheap tire: $100-$150
Champiro IcePro or Dunlop Winter Maxx or Continental ExtremeWinterContact

These tires provide good to exceptional snow and slush traction. Some tires are studdable for added ice traction.


Best moderately priced tire: $150-$200
Toyo Observe Garit KX or Bridgestone Blizzak WS70 or Gislaved Nord*Frost 100

These tires offer heightened to exceptional performance on snow- and ice-covered surfaces. They feature state-of-the-art compound technology.


Best tire: $200 +
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 or Dunlop SP Winter Sport 4D

This pair of winter tires is at the top of their high performance winter tire game. Their tread patterns are optimized for maximum snow, slush, and water channeling at high speed, providing the best possible grip.

From GMM

After Ross Brawn's clear quit threat, Mercedes chairman Niki Lauda says the 58-year-old Briton is still "number 1" at Brackley.

Amid rumours Brawn could leave the team and possibly join McLaren engine supplier Honda for 2015, he said at Suzuka he wants an assurance about his top job at Mercedes.

"We need to make sure if I'm to remain here that I'm the reference," he told the Sky broadcaster.

Ross Brawn, Mercedes AMG. (Photo: WRi2)

So with Paddy Lowe reportedly poised to take over the top job, Niki Lauda made clear Mercedes actually wants Ross Brawn to stay.

"We have had some small problems in the team in the past but everything is sorted now," the great Austrian is quoted by the Mirror.

"It's all agreed between him and Paddy and everyone else. He's number 1. I have tried to persuade him to stay," Lauda added. "It's down to him now. I'd say it's 50-50."

From DTM

In the run-up to its 2013 season finale, DTM already looks ahead to the 2014 season. The popular international touring-car series is going to return to China and Hungary next year.

DTM raced at the Hungaroring in 1988 and now it will make its second appearance at Hungary's Formula 1 circuit, located not far from Budapest. While China was the venue of DTM races in 2004 and 2010 and consequently will stage its third DTM event, in 2014.

The total number of DTM races on the calendar will remain the same, in 2014.

Start in Hockenheim. (Photo: DTM)

The DTM will race for the second time at the Moscow Raceway and will also visit the Red Bull Ring. However, the series has dropped Brands Hatch and Zandvoort.

2014 DTM calendar*

May 4 Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg (D)
May 18 Motorsport Arena Oschersleben (D)
June 1st Hungaroring Budapest (UNG) **
June 29 Norisring (D)
July 13 Moscow Raceway (RUS)
August 3rd Red Bull Ring Spielberg (A)
August 10 Nürburgring (D) ***
September 14 Lausitzring (D) **
September 28 China (CHN) - TBA
October 19 Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg (D)

* Subject to approval by FIA
** Subject to promoter agreements
*** Date to be confirmed

Compact crossovers remain one of the hottest segments in the car business.

For this reason, I've selected the very common P225/65R17 size as the yardstick for this winter tire exercise.

The ratings could not be simpler: They range from inexpensive to moderate to best, regardless of price. On that subject, I've got good news for tire shoppers in Canada: Tire prices have dropped considerably over the last few seasons. In order to discourage cross-boarder shopping, tire manufacturers have lowered their prices to match US retail prices as much as possible.

As such, the fact that price is always the No. 1 consideration when it comes to buying these expensive consumables is very good news.

Here are the top 2013 CUV/minivan/small SUV winter tire choices:

Best inexpensive tire: $150-$200
Dunlop Grandtrek SJ6 or Continental ExtremeWinterContact or Toyo GSi-5

Most tires in this price range are studdable, the exception being the Dunlops. They provide good snow and slush traction and for maximum ice traction, studs help at the expense of increased road noise.



Best moderately priced tire: $200-$250
Yokohama iceGUARD iG51v or Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 or Gislaved Nord*Frost 100

These tires offer maximum grip in all conditions, providing optimal performance whether the conditions feature ice, snow or other wintery situations. Their compound and tread patterns are engineered to remain flexible and work hard to tackle the worst winter has to offer.

From ROC

Four-time Australian V8 Supercar champion has become the latest driver to join the field for the 2013 Race Of Champions, to be held at Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium on the weekend of December 14-15.

Whincup has dominated Australia's popular V8 Supercar series in recent years, with titles in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012. He also leads this season's championship by over 100 points with just three rounds to go.

Jamie Whincup, Australian V8 Supercar, Austin, Texas. (Photo: ROC)

Last year Whincup became the first Aussie V8 racer ever to appear at the Race Of Champions. In partnership with 500cc MotoGP legend Mick Doohan, he enjoyed a run to the semi-finals of the ROC Nations Cup for Team Australia only to fall to the might of eventual winners Team Germany (Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel). Now Whincup is back for more and hoping to go even further.

ROC 2013 will take place on a specially constructed tarmac track with two parallel lanes winding their way round Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium. Drivers pair up for the ROC Nations Cup, this year scheduled for Saturday December 14, ahead of the individual Race Of Champions on Sunday December 15.

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, in collaboration with tire manufacturer Continental, are building the first-ever pilot system to extract vast quantities of dandelion rubber for making tires.

They use the Russian variety of dandelions because it's the only one that features large quantities of rubber within its white latex sap.

Photo: Fraunhofer IME

The first prototypes made with blends from dandelion rubber are scheduled to be tested on public roads over the next few years. The goal is to develop the production process so that Continental can manufacture tires made from dandelion rubber by 2018.

Rubber from dandelions will help reduce the importation of raw materials since it can be harvested more quickly and in colder climates.

Source: Fraunhofer

A Lotus contract with Nico Hulkenberg's name on it will be signed at Enstone "either today or tomorrow", the German newspaper Bild reports.

It was said that the team was poised to sign the 26-year-old German as soon as the deal with Quantum - formerly Infinity, a group of private investors who plan to buy 35 per cent of Lotus - is done.

If not, it could have opened the door to Pastor Maldonado.

Maldonado's lucrative sponsor PDVSA is locked in a contract with Williams, but O Estado de S.Paulo correspondent Livio Oricchio said the Venezuelan is desperate to move from uncompetitive Williams.

But Bild reports that Lotus' Quantum deal is finally now being formalised, which should boost the team's budget beyond EUR 200 million for 2014.

Nico Hulkenberg. (Photo: Sauber F1 Team)

Half-truck, half-car, the Chevrolet El Camino made its debut in the U.S. on October 16th, 1958 -- two years after the Ford Ranchero.

Built on an Impala chassis, the first-generation El Camino underwhelmed in terms of sales, so Chevrolet abandoned the model after just two years on the market. It was resurrected in 1964, but this time based on a Chevelle.

The addition of a more powerful SS variant in 1968 elevated the El Camino among the cult cars of the 1960-1970 era.

Source: History

Chevrolet El Camino 1958.

Since the Grand Prix of Italy in Monza, the Sauber Formula 1 team has shown a significant improvement, scoring 38 points in the last four races. The Swiss team currently lies in seventh place in the constructors' championship.

Team principal Monisha Kaltenborn explained why the early part of the 2013 season has been quite difficult for Sauber.

“After the concept of the side exhaust system was very successful last year, our engineers decided to go with a different concept for the C32, that in theory had even more potential,” she said.

“In practice, however, it looked different. We realised that in Melbourne where we brought an update to the car that didn't work as we expected it to. It then took some time for our engineers to understand why the aero balance of the car was not stable, especially during braking and turning in.”

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber C32-Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

The team tackled the problem and bought significant updates in Hungary.

“We implemented a modified exhaust concept in Budapest. We already saw a significant improvement back then, but, of course, it took some time until we were able to get the most out of that. In addition, our understanding of the car improved, which translated to a better set-up,” she added.

The introduction of the updated Pirelli tires in Hungary also seemed to give the Saubers a big step forward.

“It's not easy to pinpoint that as we brought our largest update at the exact same time. However, I believe in general the tires helped, which was the opposite last year,” Kaltenborn declared.

The graduate of the London School of Economics added that the team never considered stopping the development of the C32 to focus solely on the design of the new, 2014 turbo car.

“Giving up was never an option, because we wanted to make progress with the current car, in order to improve in the constructors' championship. In addition the insight we are getting now will help with the development of the new car,” she said.

From GMM

Caterham driver Giedo van der Garde's future father-in-law is considering buying into the Williams team.

That is the claim of the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, who said Marcel Boekhoorn, a businessman and billionaire, has "serious interest" in taking over Toto Wolff's 15 per cent stake in the Grove based team.

Boekhoorn's long term girlfriend Denise this year accepted van der Garde's marriage proposal.

And van der Garde, who is sponsored by the Boekhoorn-linked Dutch fashion label McGregor, and managed by its chief, could be looking for a new seat for 2014, amid rumours former team driver Heikki Kovalainen is returning to Caterham.

Photo: McGregor

Van der Garde's manager Jan Paul ten Hoopen commented: "Marcel would only consider such a step from a responsible business perspective."

He confirmed that Marcel Boekhoorn and Toto Wolff, now a co-owner and director at Mercedes, have "talked to each other".

But when asked if the deal would pave the way to Williams for van der Garde, manager Hoopen insisted: "Basically, buying shares and getting a race seat are distinct."

However, while refusing to rule out taking McGregor back to Williams as a sponsor, he added: "Giedo would like to drive for a renowned team, and I think Williams knows what it is doing."

Williams already has a Dutch shareholder in the form of the investment firm Cyrte, founded by billionaire John de Mol, who own a 5 per cent stake.

From GMM

Stefano Domenicali insists Ferrari's Fernando Alonso era is just beginning.

Actually, judging by the Spaniard's comments over the last six months, and rumours linking him with a switch to Red Bull or McLaren, one gets the impression Alonso is running out of patience after four consecutive years of failing to win the title in red.

"We are very Latin, very impatient," team boss Domenicali smiled to the Spanish sports daily AS. "But I was at Ferrari in 1993. And before. But with Michael Schumacher we finally won in 2000 -- and he had come in 1996."

According to Domenicali's comparison with the ultra-successful Schumacher era, then, Alonso is due a title in 2014.

"Yes, 100 per cent," said the Italian. "We will fight for the title next year."

But that has actually been a familiar refrain ever since Fernando Alonso joined, in 2010.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F138. (Photo: WRi2)

Stefano Domenicali, however, insists Alonso's years in red have not been barren.

"You need to see the results from another angle," he said. "Another perspective. The story of Fernando with Ferrari so far has been a tale of two championships lost in the last race. If we had won at least one of those two, the story would be extraordinary, fantastic. So it takes a bit of rationality.

"The Italian and Spanish have rationality between zero and zero-point-five," Domenicali smiled again. "I understand that the best driver, a driver who is a double world champion, always wants the opportunity to prove himself in a more competitive car."

Ferrari has Alonso under contract for several more seasons, but there have been rumours hinting at the Maranello team's interest in Sebastian Vettel, who is similarly committed in the medium term to Red Bull.

Stefano Domenicali, however, said he thinks Alonso is better than Vettel.

"He (Vettel) is a great driver, there's no doubt," he said. "He has grown tremendously over the years -- just look at his teammate (Mark Webber). But as I have said, with all due respect, he has been able to fully exploit a car that was faster than ours, and that means a lot."

So, notwithstanding all the recent rumours, he insists Ferrari is planning ahead with Fernando Alonso.

"Ferrari and Fernando have to stick together; it is a challenge we have together," said Domenicali.

"He has always said the same, so I don't know where these reports that suggest otherwise come from. It's normal that other teams want him, but Alonso has said what he said, and so to think otherwise is not to give credibility to what Alonso says. What we say is 'We want to win with Fernando' and we have a contract for three more years. What more can we say?" he added.

In fact, Stefano Domenicali said he hopes Fernando Alonso stays even longer than his current tenure.

"I hope so, it would be nice," he said. "Fernando has said it too."

From GMM

Sebastian Vettel looks set to celebrate his fourth consecutive title win next weekend in front of a muted Indian crowd.

Race organisers Jaypee, who will not host a grand prix in 2014, have admitted that only 20,000 tickets have been sold so far for this year's edition, where Vettel only needs a fifth place to wrap up his latest title.

"The excitement surrounding the event is less compared to past editions but we are confident of having the turnout of 2012," said Jaypee chief Sameer Gaur.

"The latest number I have is that 20,000 tickets have been sold," he admitted, adding that he expects sales to pick up considerably in coming days.

Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull might be forgiven for being disappointed they did not wrap up the title last weekend in Japan, where a huge and passionate crowd always gathers.

"How disappointed are we with a one-two finish in one of the best races strategically ever for this operation?" exasperated team boss Christian Horner said at Suzuka.

"We'll go to India and take that weekend as we have here and if we score more points than the others then we'll win the championship," he added.

1-2 finish Red Bull in the 2013 Japanse Grand Prix. (Photo: WRi2)

Mere days after India, formula one will head to Abu Dhabi for the spectacular and hugely popular twilight race.

In total contrast to India, organisers of the Yas Marina event are expecting a sellout as usual, with less than 2,500 tickets still available.

"We're expecting more fans than ever before," said circuit boss Richard Cregan.

It's 53 acres of dirt today, but in little more than a year, the Porsche Experience Center here at the collision of the 405 and 110 freeways will have Carreras, Caymans and Cayennes tearing around a custom-built test track made for Porsche...