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Audi has won rounds two and four of its 12-round fight with BMW brand, but the world luxury-car champ is still ahead on the overall scorecard.

Dakkota Systems' instrument panel factory is joined at the hip to Chrysler's Windsor minivan assembly plant.

The cult of personality surrounding Tesla Motors founder and CEO Elon Musk has wowed the investment community. Operating on the edge of the U.S.

Retired Texas auto dealer Sterling McCall surprised fellow dealers in April when he testified in favor of Tesla Motors Inc.'s bid to carve out an exemption to state franchise law.

Automakers in North America failed to make progress in improving relations with suppliers over the past year, an annual study says.

The digital age has spawned effective ways for auto marketers to swipe customers from competitors. By monitoring the online shopping habits of millions of consumers, marketers can place online ads in front of shoppers quickly and precisely.

In March, luxury maker Land Rover proudly told an audience at the Geneva auto show that it would soon bring to market the industry's first nine-speed transmission. One month later, Ford Motor Co.

Lincoln is studying the habits of luxury shoppers at Shanghai's luxury malls for new ideas in customer service that eventually could find their way back to U.S. dealerships.

With a recent petition, Toyota has intensified the pressure on safety regulators to approve new headlights currently forbidden on U.S. roads.

VW Group has confirmed a German newspaper report that said it will build a factory with an annual capacity of 300,000 vehicles in Changsa, Hunan province, China.

Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault and Nissan, said the companies are unlikely to reach their goal of selling a combined 1.5 million electric vehicles by 2016. Nissan has sold just 62,000 Leafs since the EV's debut in late 2010, he said.

Ford will use this month's UEFA Champions League soccer final to launch a new pan-European advertising campaign that focuses on its affordable, user-friendly technologies.

As part of its "Be Tire Smart - Play Your PART" national public education campaign (May 13-19, 2013), the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) wants to encourage Canadian motorists to adopt good tire maintenance practices all year long.

The RAC advises to keep a constant eye on tread depth in order to ensure maximum grip. Worn-out tires with less than the minimum legal tread depth (1.6 mm) may not slow down the vehicle in time to avoid a collision during emergency manoeuvres. They also increase aquaplaning since they don't evacuate water as effectively.

New all-season tires usually come with 8 mm of tread depth; when there's 3.2 mm left, the extra braking distance equals the length of seven cars -- make it double with just 1.6 mm left.

Also, properly inflated tires increase safety and fuel savings by up to $100 annually. Drivers should check their tire pressure at least once a month.

Source : betiresmart.ca

From GMM

The FIA on Sunday considered penalising Fernando Alonso for picking up a Spanish flag during his post-chequered flag in-lap.

After winning his home race in Barcelona, Alonso stopped beside a marshal who furnished his Spanish compatriot and hero with a red and yellow Spanish flag.

Once in 'parc ferme', the Ferrari driver draped the flag over the '1' signboard indicating where he should park.

Photo: WRi2

But the glorious moment was actually a breach of a regulation about "receiving an object" prior to the post-race weighing and scrutineering procedure, and Alonso and a Ferrari team member were summoned to the stewards.

Ultimately, the FIA officials let him off without penalty "to be consistent with a previous decision made under similar circumstances".

World Rally Champion, Sebastien Loeb captured 11th position in his first Porsche Supercup race in Barcelona, opening round of the season.

The nine-time World Rally Champion -- who is slowly switching to road racing (he ran the first rounds of the FIA GT Series driving a McLaren MP4-12C ran by his own team) -- was invited by Porsche to contest the Barcelona and Monaco rounds of the Porsche Supercup.

Photo: WRi2

For his Supercup debut, Loeb set the 14th best time in qualifying, but a mechanical issue prevented him to make a second attempt with a new set of tires.

In the race, the Frenchman set a solid performance, without taking any risks, crossing the line in 11th place ahead of fellow countryman Jean-Karl Vernay, the 2010 Indy Lights' champion, who clinched the French Porsche Carrera Cup title last year with... the Sebastien Loeb Racing.

Sean Edwards won the race ahead of Nicki Thiim and Michael Amermüller.

Photo: WRi2

The Spanish crowd got what they wanted Sunday at the Circuit de Catalunya for the Grand Prix of Spain, as Fernando Alonso drove brilliantly to secure his first win here in Barcelona since 2006.

Adding to the delight in the Scuderia Ferrari's garage, Felipe Massa made sure that two Ferrari drivers were on the podium for the first time this season with a fantastic drive from a grid-penalised ninth place to third at the end of the 66 laps.

Photos: WRi2

Splitting the two Ferrari drivers was former F1 champion, Kimi Raikkonen. The result means the Scuderia overtakes Lotus to rank second in the Constructors' championship, 14 points behind Red Bull.

Alonso moves up one place to third in the Drivers' championship, while his Massa overtakes Mark Webber, climbing from sixth to fifth place.

From GMM

There is an angry 'T-word' on everybody's lips after Sunday's puzzling and painful Spanish grand prix.

"Can anyone tell me what's going on?" an exasperated Paul di Resta asked his team during the race in Barcelona.

With that, he summed up the situation in F1 at present: Pirelli's unprecedentedly heavily degrading tires are confusing even the sport's drivers.

Photo: McLaren F1 Team

Lewis Hamilton, having qualified on the front row, sounded amazed, sarcastic and incensed when he informed his Mercedes bosses that "I've been passed by a Williams now".

Only 24 hours earlier, the same Williams had failed to make it out of 'Q1', while many were tipping a Mercedes victory.

"When we're going round three seconds slower than a GP2 car did in qualifying, and only six seconds quicker than a GP3 car did in the race, there's something wrong," said McLaren's Jenson Button.

Lewis Hamilton, asked to slow down to protect his tires during Sunday's race, replied that he couldn't go any slower "otherwise I'm going at walking pace".

"That is the way the sport has gone to improve overtaking. It is for the public to judge," he told reporters afterwards.

Until now, Pirelli has vigorously defended its mandate, having come into F1 tasked with spicing up the action by supplying tires that will force multiple pitstops per driver.

Photo: McLaren F1 Team

But, amid the post-race vitriol in Spain from both inside and outside the paddock, motor sport director Paul Hembery announced that Pirelli will now make changes.

"It's too late for Monaco but we'd look to change things for Silverstone," he said.

Gerhard Berger, a former grand prix winner and team co-owner, explained: "They can't go on like this. Every 14 days it's just negative advertising for them. And the fans no longer know their stuff."

In short, the pressure has built to tipping point, spurred on by vocal opponents like Red Bull, and also the media.

"Is this really a formula one world championship?" said Nicola Pohl in the mass-circulation German newspaper Bild.

She quoted Red Bull team boss Christian Horner saying: "It's like chess now. And chess is not necessarily a sport that has many fans."

Bernie Ecclestone and Paul Hembery. (Photo: Pirelli)

Paul Hembery is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport: "In the last two years, the public has supported us. The races have become much more exciting. But the criticism has reached a level where we can no longer be indifferent."

However, not everyone supports a major change. Apparently Ferrari and Force India are quite happy with the 2013 tires, as is - obviously - Lotus.

"It's like football," team owner Gerard Lopez said. "As soon as one team is always hitting the post, the discussion becomes making the goals a bit bigger."

Another factor is that if Pirelli makes significant compound or structure changes, they want a day of testing prior to Silverstone.

"They'll never get it through, because all the teams would have to agree," said Sauber team manager Beat Zehnder.

What's New?
After the mid-cycle refresh of 2012, Honda has a newly-styled front end, improved fuel efficiency and a high-level Sport Trim option. In addition, a rear mounted back-up camera is standard across all models. Ridgeline is offered in four trim levels, DX, VP, Sport and Touring. Standard equipment includes, conventional trailer hitch, pre-wiring for 7-pin plug, trip computer and 60/40 split fold-down rear seat.


Towing
All Ridgelines have the same towing capacity of 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) and the same payload capacity of 463 kg (1,000 lbs). The only difference is that the VP is rated at 708 kg (1,560 lbs) for payload capacity. The Ridgeline is not rated for 5th wheel or goose neck trailer towing, just for conventional trailers.

Interior
Because the Ridgeline is a boxed frame unibody, Honda is able to deliver full-sized interior space dimensions while keeping the exterior garage friendly . Controls are large an easy to use while a large, multi-functional centre console, with sliding armrest, fits between the two front bucket seats. In the rear, the bench seat has a 60/40 split that allows each side to fold down out of the way, increasing interior cargo space dramatically. When looking at the interior, think of it as being as comfortable as an Accord with pretty much the same amenities.

Powertrain
The Ridgeline is only available with a 3.5-litre, SOHC, VTEC V6 that produces 250 horsepower. Behind the transmission is 5-speed automatic that has ‘grade logic' built in to help prevent ‘gear hunting' on hills. Every Ridgeline comes with fully automatic Torque Management® 4WD system that operates predominantly in FWD mode when not sensing wheel slippage. The VTM-4-lock button allows the driver to hold engagement of both rear wheels (basically an electronically-controlled locking rear differential) up to speeds of 30 km/hr.

In Short
Ridgeline is all truck and very comfortable, taking full advantage of the ‘Boxed Unibody' frame. It also fits in between full-sized and compact trucks, which provides it with a unique position in the market place.

Fuel Economy
EnerGuide Canada rates the Ridgeline at 13.6 L/100 km and 9.6 L/100 km for city/highway, respectively.

Photo: Honda

The 2014 Nissan Versa Note will arrive at Nissan dealers across Canada this June with a base MSRP of under $14,000.

It promises exceptional fuel economy, class-leading cargo space, and standard features like a 12V power outlet, AM/FM/CD/aux audio, and high-definition instruments. Options include NissanConnect with navigation, a Divide N' Hide storage system, a rearview monitor, satellite radio, and a touchscreen display.

Powered by a 1.6L four-cylinder engine that produces 109 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque, the 2014 Nissan Versa Note's fuel consumption ratings have yet to be announced.

The lineup consists of nine trim levels:

• Versa Note 1.6 S, MT: $13,348
• Versa Note 1.6 S, CVT: $14,648
• Versa Note 1.6 SV, MT: $14,998
• Versa Note 1.6 SV, MT, Convenience: $15,678
• Versa Note 1.6 SV, CVT: $16,298
• Versa Note 1.6 SV, CVT, Convenience: $16,978
• Versa Note 1.6 SL, MT: $16,998
• Versa Note 1.6 SL, CVT: $18,298
• Versa Note 1.6 SL, CVT, Technology: $19,018

Photo: Nissan

As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, Lamborghini and its head designer Walter De Silva unveiled the Egoista, a supercar concept that represents “hedonism taken to the extreme.”

This single-seater borrows design elements from Apache helicopters including a separate cockpit that can detach from the car itself.

“I am very attached to this Italian brand, being an Italian myself,” he said. “I wanted to pay homage to and think up a vehicle to underline the fact that Lamborghinis have always been made with passion, and with the heart more than the head.”

The Lamborghini Egoista is motivated by a 600-horsepower 5.2L V10 engine. The aluminum and carbon fibre body sports a matte grey finish and uses a special anti-radar material.

Photo: Lamborghini