Auto News 5

Germany's new-car sales fell by just 1 percent in September, raising hopes that Europe's battered car market may be on the road to recovery.

The arrival of Ford's third generation Focus looks like shaking up the compact-medium (C) segment here in Brazil but it will soon face new competition.

Makers of luxury autos from Mercedes-Benz to Audi are preparing to build cars again in Brazil in a bet that the country's market for luxury vehicles may triple by 2017.

Makers of luxury autos from Mercedes to Audi are preparing to build cars again in Brazil in a bet that the country's market for luxury vehicles may triple by 2017.

Opel will reduce output of its Adam minicar car this month, but denied media reports that suggested the cuts were due to falling demand.

News 2 Oct, 2013

The Skoda Rapid Spaceback will cost from £14,340 when it arrives in January 2014

News 2 Oct, 2013

The Peugeot 6008 SUV concept is based on same platform as sister brand Citroen's Wild Rubis, featuring HYbrid4 technology and posh interior

If at first you don't succeed, try again - having failed once in Brazil with an ambitious A-class production programme that never achieved expected volume, Daimler is coming back with a new car assembly plant - in Iracemápolis near São Paulo - to build the next-generation C-Class and the GLA.

News 2 Oct, 2013

External airbags will debut on a premium German saloon in a bid to reduce injuries from side crashes

Delphi's Thermal Systems business is responsible for the group's HVAC activities. Based in the US this division designs and produces HVAC modules and systems as well as components and engine cooling for passenger cars, other automotive and industrial applications. While at this year's IAA show, Matthew Beecham talked with Dr Thomas Heckenberger, Vice President Engineering, Delphi Thermal Systems about technology trends in the HVAC sector.

Thanks to a quirk in the reporting calendar, US light vehicle sales in September missed their year ago mark for the first time since May 2011.

Next year Lexus turns 25 -- as old as the Autumn of Nations, and even "Steel Magnolias."

Chrysler Group has cut output of the SRT Viper by a third and will reassign scores of workers to other plants because of slow sales, growing inventories, and the onset of colder weather.

Ford Chairman Bill Ford emphasized the abilities of his company's top executives while reiterating that Alan Mulally will continue leading Ford Motor Co. for now.

A hike in VAT helped to limit Italy's decline in car sales in September to 3 percent by artificially inflating demand.

Mercedes widened its annual lead over rival BMW in U.S. sales last month with a 7 percent rise in deliveries. Demand was particularly strong for the CLA compact and new E class, the automaker said.

From GMM

Red Bull has slammed reports it is flouting the rules as Sebastian Vettel stamps his dominance on the 2013 season.

After Singapore, former F1 team owner Giancarlo Minardi raised doubts about the German's RB9, saying its handling and engine tone reminded him of traction control.

"Utter nonsense!" Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko told the German newspaper Bild.

Reports have suggested Red Bull might actually be mimicking the banned 'blown exhaust' era with a clever engine mapping solution.

Bild said F1's governing FIA would not comment.

Sebastian Vettel, Infiniti Red Bull Racing. (Photo: WRi2)

The upcoming new road race that will be presented at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be named The "Grand Prix of Indianapolis" and it will be run May 8-10, 2014.

ABC will televise the Grand Prix of Indianapolis live, building toward its 50th consecutive telecast of the Indianapolis 500. The race will feature a standing start and will run clockwise, the opposite of the Indianapolis 500, creating even more diverse competition during the month.

Photo: IMS

The month will begin with IndyCar Series practice for the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis Thursday, May 8 on the new-look, 14-turn, and 2.434-mile IMS road course. Practice and qualifying are scheduled for Friday, May 9, with the race Saturday, May 10.

All series in the Mazda Road to Indy will compete during the event, placing a singular spotlight on all levels of North American open-wheel racing. The first day of practice for the 98th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 11 on the 2.5-mile IMS oval.

A $5-million reconfiguration project is underway on the existing IMS road course that will transform the layout with more speed and more hard braking zones to create more passing and competitive racing.

From GMM

Mark Webber, who is preparing to leave F1 after more than a decade-long career, has warned the sport to insist upon "quality".

Hitting out at pay-drivers locking more talented drivers off the grid, Australian Webber also criticised unpopular yet lucrative races like this weekend's Korean grand prix.

Mark Webber, Red Bull RB9. (Photo: WRi2)

Telling British broadcaster Sky the pay-driver situation is "not right", Webber said: "We've got to be careful we don't have a bit of a vacuum not having those top boys come through."

Another problem, he said, is races like Korea.

"I think keeping the quality is important, keeping the quality events," said Webber, as F1 congregates for the fourth but perhaps last time in Mokpo, an odd and eerie place for a grand prix, where journalists and mechanics stay in 'love motels'.

"Korea, there's no one there," Webber complained. "We need to have quality events, quality drivers, quality teams and keep that going."

Korea has been given only a provisional date on the bustling 22-race 2014 calendar, with promoter Won-Hwa Park admitting he is trying to negotiate a better deal with Bernie Ecclestone.

Asked what chance there is of a race next year, he admitted: "I would say 50-50, but we are very much firm in continuously holding this event."

Start of the 2011 Korean Grand Prix. (Photo: Pirelli)

The newly unveiled Bentley Home collection is inspired by the renowned craftsmanship and exquisite materials that characterize the interiors of all Bentley automobiles.

The elegant and sophisticated Richmond line of seating includes sofas, long chairs, and armchairs. The Madeley & Kendal line consists of a large oval or round meeting table with leather chairs (the Bentley logo can be embroidered on the back, on request). The Sherbourne & Kingsbridge line includes tall and short leather-coated cabinets, while a Harlow coffee table and Canterbury bed complete the collection.

These furniture items are all meticulously handcrafted, and although prices have yet to be announced, prepare to have a long, hard talk with your resident finance minister.

Photo: Bentley