US light vehicle sales continued their upward swing in April, finishing up 8.5% year on year at 1.29m for the month. Year to date (YTD) results were 6.9% ahead of the first four months of 2012.
The South African government has announced a series of incentives aimed at encouraging both the local manufacturing of electric vehicles and their purchase.
GM is making progress in restructuring its money-losing Opel/Vauxhall unit in Europe, but the automaker has a long way to go, analysts say. GM's first-quarter pretax loss in Europe narrowed while rival Ford's loss widened sharply.
Continental reiterated targets for 2013 as declining raw material costs and new products are offsetting a sixth year of contraction in its home region's car market.
Toyota President Akio Toyoda is banking on an overhauled randd strategy to kick the company his grandfather founded into growth mode after four years of crises. The strategy will help boost Toyota's global sales beyond 10 million units a year.
Opel/Vauxhall says new powertrains will cut its average CO2 output 27 percent by 2020, helping the automaker comply with tougher EU emissions regulations. With 13 new engines, Opel will renew 80 percent of its engine portfolio between 2012 and 2016.
Audi is fueling its growth in China with a range of less pricey compact crossovers and sedans -- such as the A3 sedan introduced this month in Shanghai -- to expand its appeal to retail customers.
Audi executives this weekend plan to break ground on a $1.3 billion factory in Mexico with a capacity of some 150,000 cars a year. The plant will be instrumental in Audi's push to topple BMW Group as the world's top-selling premium automaker.
Audi executives plan to break ground on a $1.3 billion factory in Mexico with a capacity of some 150,000 cars a year. The plant will be instrumental in Audi's push to topple BMW as the world's No. 1-selling premium automaker.
Audi is fueling its growth in China with a range of less pricey compact crossovers and sedans -- such as the A3 sedan introduced this month in Shanghai -- to expand its appeal to retail customers.
BMW Motorsport invited reigning DTM champion, Bruno Spengler and the 1989 champ,Roberto Ravaglia to a very special "Generation Game".
Both drivers brought with them the cars with which they won their DTM titles. Spengler triumphed last season with the current BMW M3 DTM, while Ravaglia was crowned DTM Champion at the wheel of the BMW M3 in 1989.
Photo BMW Motorsport
However, it was all change in Hockenheim. Ravaglia climbed into the driver's seat of the BMW M3 DTM, which was adorned with the livery of the 1989 BMW M3. Spengler, meanwhile, drove the historic BMW M3 with the Frozen Black design of his BMW Bank M3 DTM. And so, after a few warm-up laps, the duo began its unique race.
Spengler was given a head start of one second per year between the two DTM titles, amounting to a 23-second lead over Ravaglia in the new car. The race ended with Ravaglia overtaking Spengler in the Sachs corner. Just as he did in his last DTM outing in Hockenheim in 1992, the Italian crossed the finish line first.
Robert Ravaglia and Bruno Spengler. (Photo: BMW Motorsport)
Speaking afterwards, the two champions embraced the role reversal. “The first time I saw the 1989 BMW M3 in my design, with my name and the start number 1, it was an amazing feeling. Because the BMW M3 from back then is so light, it is almost like driving a go-kart. I had great fun - until Roberto passed me in the Sachs corner,” said Spengler with a grin.
Electric car maker CODA has just filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The small company sold fewer than 100 units of its namesake model (mostly in California) since it came to market last year.
A high price ($37,250 US), bland styling, and a recall to replace faulty seat belts and airbags doomed the Coda in spite of promising a range of 200 kilometres -- more than the Nissan LEAF.
This is another blow to the electric car market following the major setbacks at Fisker Automotive. Only Tesla Motors seems to be enjoying good momentum thanks to the Model S.
The first European Formula 1 race of the 2013 season will be held May 10-12 at Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona, and like most other teams Sauber will bring a series of updates.
Both Sauber drivers, Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Gutiérrez agree that, since winter testing in February and March, many things have changed. During the first four races, the C32 has been updated. For the fifth round of the FIA Formula One World Championship the team will bring further aero updates and a modified rear wing to the race.
Esteban Gutiérrez. (Photo: Sauber F1 Team)
“Although Barcelona is a track we know well from winter testing, the higher temperatures do change how the tires perform, so we have to adapt to that,” said Tom McCullough, Head of Track Engineering at Sauber.
“The first two sectors are biased towards higher speed corners, whereas the third sector is dominated by a technical sequence of lower speed corners, hence the set-up is always a compromise. The option tire will be the medium compound and for the prime Pirelli are re-introducing the 2012 hard compound for this event. We have some further aero updates, including a modified rear wing, and we will be evaluating these during Friday practice. Qualifying is particularly important here as overtaking can be difficult in the race. Our target for the race is to finish with both cars in the points,” the engineer added.
The next-generation 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S will arrive at Canadian dealers in December with a starting MSRP of $169,200 and $206,600, respectively.
Burning up to 16% less fuel than their predecessors, both cars are rated at 9.7L/100km according to the NEDC standards. The turbocharged 3.8L six-cylinder engine with direct injection produces 520 horsepower in the new 911 Turbo, and 560 horsepower in the S model. Power is transferred to the drivetrain via a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission (PDK).
The 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo with the optional Sport Chrono Package Plus accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, which is just one tenth slower than the 911 Turbo S. The car's top speed is 318 km/h.
Upgrades for 2014 include a new all-wheel drive system (PTM) with electronically controlled and activated multi-plate coupling, an active aerodynamic system, full LED headlights, and rear axle steering.
Renault is once again using the speed dating theme to promote its new Clio.
Following a successful first ad, we now see participants at a chic hotel in Spa-Francorchamps (near the famous GP course), but as it turns out, none of the guys were prepared for a girl named Caroline's interpretation of ''speed dating.''
This professional driver makes a lasting impression on her co-drivers as she tears up the track in the Clio.
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