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 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-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.

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.

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.

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

Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot, a French engineer who invented the world's first self-propelled vehicle, died in Paris on October 2nd, 1804. His 2-cylinder fardier à vapeur ("steam dray") was built from 1769-1771. It's now preserved at the Musée des arts et métiers in Paris.

Cugnot got the idea while serving in the army and watching horses pulling heavy pieces of artillery. He wanted an alternative solution to animal traction.

With an overall length of 7.25 metres and a dry weight of 2.8 tonnes (up to 8 tonnes when full), the vehicle used a 1.5-metre wide water tank. Nicknamed the chariot à feu (fire cart), it is known by many as the first-ever passenger car.

A copy of Cugnot's invention built by students at Ecole des Arts et Métiers ParisTech and shown at the 2010 Paris Auto Show revealed that his calculations were all accurate.

Photo: Wikipedia

From GMM

Daniil Kvyat has admitted the vacancy at Toro Rosso for 2014 may have come too soon for him.

It is believed the Red Bull-owned team is on the cusp of confirming Portuguese Antonio Felix da Costa as Daniel Ricciardo's successor for next year.

But Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost said last month: "We (Red Bull) have some young drivers with extraordinary talent. One of them is Carlos Sainz jr but we also have (Daniil) Kvyat. And Felix da Costa."

But Franz Tost admitted that the young age of Russian 19-year-old Kvyat is a factor playing against him.

Asked what he sees as his next step beyond 2013, Kvyat told the Italian magazine Italiaracing: "Definitely I will not stay in GP3, so we are in the period where we are deciding what will be my future.

"The logical passage for the Red Bull (development) drivers would seem to be to the Formula Renault 3.5 series. To go to formula one, the others (sponsored by Red Bull) have passed through there. But it's not for me to decide, so I am waiting for Red Bull and will be ready to do anything they decide," he added.

Daniil Kvyat aboard the Toro Rosso, last Summer. (Photo: WRi2)

Daniil Kvyat drove the Toro Rosso at the young driver test at Silverstone earlier this year; an experience he admits was "unforgettable".

"But right now I am concentrated on the (junior) championships so that I can arrive in formula one as soon as possible," he insisted.

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

From GMM

Davide Valsecchi insists he is "ready" to make his formula one debut this weekend.

Lotus regular Kimi Raikkonen struggled through the recent Singapore grand prix with a back injury.

So ahead of the Korean grand prix this weekend, the Finn said: "We will have to see how it is when I get out on track on Friday."

Meanwhile, Raikkonen suggested in Singapore that because he has not yet been paid by Lotus, he is technically entitled to sit out races.

Asked if he might sue the Enstone based team, he admitted: "I don't know. Obviously there is a reason why we make up contracts."

Davide Valsecchi testing the Lotus E21 this season. (Photo: WRi2)

With that uncertainty lingering, it is no surprise Valsecchi - Lotus' reserve driver - is being asked if he is preparing to make his debut in Korea.

"My role requires me to be ready," the reigning GP2 champion told Italy's Autosprint.

"The rest are situations and decisions that are taken by the team alone," added Valsecchi, 26.