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Tesla Motors, the electric carmaker headed by billionaire Elon Musk, said it turned profitable in the first quarter, citing higher-than-expected sales of its Model S sedan.

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: I liked this 2013 Cadillac SRX more than I thought I would. That is to say it drives better than I thought it would in some respects.

Volkswagen will boost its global headcount to 600,000 by 2018 from 550,000 as part of its aim to become the world's biggest carmaker, works council chief Bernd Osterloh said.

Spanish car sales fell nearly 14 percent in March. Industry association Anfac said a government subsidy scheme aimed at boosting sales was working despite the slump.

Larry H. Miller Group Dealerships has acquired seven dealerships in Arizona for an undisclosed price. It is the privately held group's largest acquisition to date.

Fewer than one in three Chevrolet dealerships will be eligible to sell the 2014 Corvette Stingray when it begins rolling off the assembly line in late summer.

Hyundai Motor Co. is looking into launching a pickup in the United States, Hyundai's sales boss says. Product planners and engineers at headquarters in South Korea are studying what size truck would be best.

A long-distance debate last week between two CEOs -- Ford's Alan Mulally and Nissan-Renault's Carlos Ghosn -- reignited a hot-button debate in the industry over the value of the Japanese yen.

General Motors' speedy revision of the slow-selling Chevrolet Malibu reflects the company's new determination to fix problems quickly when they arise, rather than letting them linger until the next scheduled change.

The Obama administration's proposal for low-sulfur gasoline is a boost for automakers trying to comply with stricter emissions standards.

When it goes on sale this summer in California, the 2013 Fiat 500e electric car will come with an unusual standard feature: another vehicle. 500e buyers may use rental vehicles for up to 12 days a year for free.

Toyota is weighing a major shift in positioning for its struggling Scion brand: moving upscale to target entry-level luxury models coming from European makes.

Chevy's performance division is on a roll. And GM plans an advertising campaign to spread the word.

Not only is Kia benchmarking BMW and Audi; it is crawling out of the shadow of its bigger corporate sibling, Hyundai.

Thirty years ago, Japan Inc.'s formidable battery of domestic auto plants seemed ready to conquer the world. But in a dramatic reversal, the Japanese are tensely witnessing the decline of the auto industry on their own turf.

After battling Hurricane Sandy last fall, the blizzard that paralyzed New York City in early February and the spring snowstorm that swiped New Jersey early last week, residents in the Northeast are weather-weary. Dealers, too.

The 2014 Cherokee, the first Fiat-based Jeep, offers a long list of conveniences, such as automatic parking and an 8.4-inch center-stack screen, but it also has four-wheel drive available for off-roading Jeep loyalists.

It wasn't long ago that gasoline was the only fuel a Porsche could use. Today, the powertrain options at the Volkswagen Group subsidiary include diesel, gasoline-electric hybrid and, soon, plug-in hybrid.

The reigning triple world champion answered a special questionnaire conducted by the official Formula One website.

The sportsperson I most admire is...
Sebastian Vettel: Michael Schumacher, as I know him best. It could also be Michael Jordan, but I have never met him so I'll stick to what I know.

The best actor in the world is...
SV: John Travolta.

The most memorable overtaking move of my career was...
SV: Many - some from way back, some quite recently...

Photo: WRi2

My favourite song of all time is...
SV: It depends on the mood. If I really have to pick one, Back In Black.

The best thing about the off-season is...
SV: Being home.

The worst haircut I ever got was...
SV: My short hairdo at the beginning of 2007!

The last time I lost my temper was...
SV: I lose my temper over small things - but calm down again very fast. A well-tempered personality...

My first pet was...
SV: The family dog - a Dalmatian by the name of Floyd.

My most treasured possession is...
SV: My memory.

The funniest person I know is...
SV: In terms of humour, Bernie Ecclestone.

Sebastian Vettel and Bernie Ecclestone. (Photo: WRi2)

My favourite drink is...
SV: Red Bull and apple spritzer.

You would never catch me wearing...
SV: Nothing.

The best excuse to give your team boss after crashing the car is...
SV: I am always honest - even to my disadvantage...

The last time I lost something was...
SV: I ‘almost' lose things - recently I thought I'd lost my wallet, but hadn't. Even more recently I thought I'd lost my passport, but hadn't...

My favourite holiday destination is...
SV: Home.

My favourite time of the day is...
SV: Morning.

The strangest rumour I've ever read about myself is...
SV: That I had bought an Alp in Austria. And that I had signed for Ferrari.

The best present I've been given by a fan is...
SV: A drawing - of me and my car - from a fan at this year's Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

The best cure for a hangover is...
SV: Water.

Price Range: $36,300 to $65,800-plus

Description: All-American value, performance and drop-top style converge on the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible lineup, which represents a wide range of options for performance car shoppers.

The new Camaro Convertible, which launched for 2011, boasts a fabric top with an acoustic headliner for reduced noise levels, as well as an easy-to-use single-latch release mechanism. Once the latch is pulled to its “open” position, the push of a single button lowers the windows and lowers the roof. Best of all, the process can even be carried out at low speeds, for instance in parking lots or at intersections.


Engineers reinforced the Camaro's body structure to compensate for the natural reduction in rigidity suffered by other convertible models. This occurs when removing a vehicle's solid roof, which makes the vehicle's body weaker and can negatively affect handling and performance.

Built on the same platform as the Camaro Coupe, this top-optional model boasts the same high-efficiency powertrain lineup, striking looks and unique features -- including a Head Up Display (HUD) and OnStar.

Heated leather, navigation, remote access, 20” wheels, remote start, and numerous other goodies are all available on the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible. Full Bluetooth integration handles both phone calls and audio playback from supported devices.

Drivetrain: Choices, choices: Starting the 2013 Camaro Convertible powerplant lineup in “RS” grade is the automaker's 3.6L V6 that was recently recalibrated to turn in 323 horsepower. On “SS” models, drivers get a 6.2L V8 that generates up to 426 horsepower. The extreme-performance Camaro ZL1 Convertible gets a supercharged 6.2L V8 good for a whopping 580 ponies.

All models are rear-wheel drive, and all can be specified with a 6-speed transmission in the driver's choice of automatic or manual.


Consider it if: you're after a convertible that's big on recognition, offers plenty of selection, and the added confidence of top-notch fuel-efficiency ratings and safety features. As a four-seat convertible, the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro is also ideal for couples with kids (or grandkids), or anyone needing more room than a two-seat roadster.

Skip it if: you're after something extremely small, light and nimble. Though the Chevrolet Camaro offers plenty of grip and handling prowess, it's a big, heavy car and drives like one.

Other Notes: the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro's convertible top was opened and closed more than 22,500 times in development. That figure represents three times the use expected in a typical 10-year period. Some of the open/close cycles were performed in extreme conditions, with temperatures ranging from minus 30°C to 77°C and humidity up to 95%!

Don't Miss: The new 1LE package! Designed for motorsports use, it fits a special version of the Tremec manual transmission with gear ratios selected for road racing. The transmission is also fitted with an air-to-liquid cooling system for track use. Bigger stabilizer bars, ZL1-spec wheel bearings and shock mounts, and a flat-bottom steering wheel are also fitted for added track-day handling, durability and flare.

Photo: Chevrolet