Auto News 5

Mitsubishi says it will tackle the problems that led to delayed product recalls through an organisation directly answerable to the president.

Renault India has told the Times of India that it will work closely with alliance partner Nissan to roll out cross badged vehicles, but with differentiated design.

News 18 Jun, 2013

The production-ready Honda Civic Tourer will have a "significantly" bigger boot than its rivals, Auto Express has learned

European car sales fell to a 20-year low in May as rising joblessness caused by a recession in the euro region reduced demand. Registrations dropped 6 percent to 1.08 million vehicles with all volume automakers reporting sales declines.

European car sales fell to a 20-year low in May as rising joblessness caused by a recession in the euro region reduced demand. Registrations dropped 6 percent to 1.08 million vehicles with all volume automakers reporting sales declines.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR GRAHAM KOZAK: I honestly didn't expect to get much out of the

Valeo has issued a short statement saying the French supplier and Osram have agreed on an option contract by which, if the reciprocal options are exercised by either in early 2014, Valeo would be committed to acquire Osram shares in the companies' joint operations in North America.

GM's Holden unit and its labor unions will begin talks to reduce costs enough to keep its Australian plants viable, a month after Ford said it will stop making cars locally.

Toyota will use Twitter to show how it builds the Auris hybrid at its UK factory. The company aims to reach new customers in what it says is a world-first social media project.

Toyota will use Twitter to show how it builds the Auris hybrid at its UK factory. The company aims to reach new customers in what it says is a world-first social media project.

Toyota will use Twitter to show how it builds the Auris hybrid at its UK factory. The company aims to reach new customers in what it says is a world-first social media project.

Four new videos joined our top 10 list of most viral auto brand videos this week, including a spooky ride in a Hyundai, the New Wave stylings of a new dad in a Fiat and Chevy's Tetris win. But a double-fake test drive in a Toyota took top honors.

Rolls-Royce has named Frank Ludwig, 42, as its manufacturing director. The German national has been with Rolls' parent, BMW Group, since 2002 and has held manufacturing jobs at the Mini and BMW brands.

Whether or not you've a purpose in mind, it's not the destination, it's the journey that matters, and the fact that we're choosing (at that particular pivotal moment in our lives) to turn to a vehicle to proceed. We've noticed over the years, that “the drive” comes up in a number of situations, and it's made us realize how important vehicles are to us as humans (and not just as modes of transportation).

Here then are the top 5 drives we feel are the most important and common:

No. 5 The Angry Drive
While not the most pleasant, it is perhaps one of the more popular “drives.” Usually occurring after a marital or relationship spat, this drive is often not announced and is simply prefaced by one partner angrily grabbing the keys to their vehicle and storming out the front door. Said drive is therapeutic, relaxing, relieving and may even offer the driver time to think about what he/she has said or done so they may return home in a better place.

Continue reading Top 5 Drives

From GMM

Legendary F1 commentator Murray Walker has revealed he is set to undergo treatment for cancer.

'The voice of formula one', who hung up his microphone more than a decade ago, told his former employer, the BBC, that the lymphatic cancer was detected when he was hospitalised last month for a broken pelvis following a fall.

"They've caught it incredibly early. It's treatable, the doctors say my condition is mild and I'm very hopeful," the 89-year-old Briton said.




Meanwhile, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has admitted he is "honoured" but "shocked" to have been selected for an OBE - order of the British empire - in the Queen's birthday honours list.

"It's all a bit unexpected, incredible really," the 39-year-old is quoted by the Express newspaper.

Briton Horner has led the Milton-Keynes based team, owned by the Austrian energy drink, to three consecutive seasons of drivers' and constructors' world championship clean sweeps.

Bosch Engineering has developed a new plug-in hybrid technology for the Aston Martin DB9. A pair of electric motors power the front wheels, essentially making it the first four-wheel drive Aston Martin ever.

The DB9 Plug-in Hybrid also features a V12 engine that drives the rear wheels, so total output jumps from 510 to 740 horsepower. Despite weighing an extra 300 kg (650 lbs), the car is reportedly able to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and cover more than 25 kilometres in full electric mode.

The Aston Martin DB9 Plug-in Hybrid by Bosch is a show car only. The two companies have no plans to enter production.

Source : www.leblogauto.com

On 3,456 SUVs produced by General Motors from 2005 to 2007, the driver's door module could short circuit and fail, potentially leading to fire.

Dealers will test the driver's window and door lock switches for proper operation. If the switches function correctly, a protective coating will be applied to the door module. If not, the door module will be replaced.

Affected models include:

• 2006-2007 Buick Rainier
• 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer
• 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT
• 2006-2007 GMC Envoy
• 2006 GMC Envoy XL
• 2005-2007 Saab 9-7X

Source: Transports Canada

On Wednesday, June 19th, Toyota will broadcast hundreds of tweets that will follow the production of a new Toyota Auris Hybrid at its Burnaston, U.K. plant. You can follow @toyotafactory and #f2f from 6 a.m. BST (1 a.m. EDT).

Of course, lots of pictures and videos will accompany the tweets. The event will last 14 hours straight and cover the 325 separate processes on the assembly line alone, not to mention quality control.

Throughout the day, followers will be able to interact with members of the Toyota workforce, adding their comments and asking questions. More detailed information resources including specially commissioned film footage will also be available via Twitter.

Photo: Toyota

Staff members of Canada's automobile web site, Auto123.com, will participate for a third time in the 48-hour bike marathon fund raising event for the Make-A-Wish Foundation Quebec.

Make-A-Wish's mission is to grant wishes to create hope, strength, and joy for children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Photo: Auto123.com

What kind of dreams are we talking about here? Well, something magical and something that any normal kid wishes for: a long vacation with their family, meeting an idol, doing a photo shoot, swimming with dolphins, etc.

These kids dream of leaving the hospital for good and fully enjoying what life has to offer.

Auto123.com has entered two teams of six riders each who will cycle one after the other, night and day, for 48 consecutive hours to raise money for sick kids. The event will be held again at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, home of the Canadian Formula 1 Grand Prix, September 13, 14, and 15.

Photo: Auto123.com

This year, organisers hope to have more than 1,000 riders who will collect $1,250,000 in total. Each rider is expected to collect at least $600.

If you'd like to make a donation to one of our teams, click on the links below. All donations are eligible for a tax credit.

Team 1
Team leader: René Fagnan, assisted by Mathieu Germain, Philippe Champoux, Miranda Lightstone, Olivier Delorme, and Mathieu St-Pierre

Team 2
Team leader: Marie-Eve Leroux, assisted by Kyell Vyncke, Martin Gendron, Peter Kovalcik, Fredéric Feudi and Jacqueline Fillion-Robin

For three of your riders, this will be their third participation in a row. Riders from Auto123.com, and the sick children, say thank-you for your support!

Photo: Auto123.com

The Board of Directors of International Speedway Corporation, the parent of Daytona International Speedway, has approved a project with a budget of at least $375 million to makeover the frontstretch.

It is a reduced plan because of the failure to obtain any governmental funding.

Groundbreaking, at the 54 year old speedway, will start on July 5th this year and is expected to be completed by January 2016.

“We are truly creating history with this unprecedented endeavor,” said ISC's Chief Executive Officer Lesa France Kennedy.

“The decision was made with strong consideration of the current macroeconomic condition and a clear view for our long-term growth,” Ms. France Kennedy continued. “This significant private investment is a strategic use of our capital that will ensure the long-term viability of the iconic speedway, and when completed, will contribute favorably to the Company's revenues, as well as to our community and the sport as a whole.”

Illustration: ROSSETTI

The redevelopment is expected to cost between $375 million to $400 million, excluding capitalized interest. “The Company expects to fund the redevelopment from cash on hand, cash from its operations and may use borrowings on its credit facility for a limited period of time to even out cash flow.”

According to a press release “the vision for the redevelopment of the Daytona International Speedway frontstretch places an emphasis on enhancing the complete fan experience, beginning with five expanded and redesigned fan entrances, or injectors, along International Speedway Boulevard. Each injector would lead directly to a series of escalators and elevators that would transport fans to any of three different concourse levels, each featuring spacious and strategically-placed social "neighborhoods" along the nearly mile-long frontstretch.”

Seating will be decreasing from approximately 147,000 to approximately 101,000 permanent seats with the potential to increase permanent seating to 125,000 all on the fronstretch. There will be no capacity changes for the 2014 DAYTONA 500

To learn more about the redevelopment project, fans can visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/redevelopment or www.redevelopdaytona.com.