Auto News 5

General Motors has added the European Opel GT Roadster to the 1.7m unit recall of cars to replace a faulty ignition switch.

The Ford brand is closing in on Toyota as the favorite of retail auto buyers in the United States, a sign of rising popularity of the Fusion mid-sized car and Escape SUV, and of growing dismay with the Japanese manufacturer.

Honda Automóveis do Brasil (HAB) has opened its new research and development centre in Sumaré following a spend of BRL100m.

Reports in Japan say that Toyota is to ease price cut demands pressure on its suppliers this year.

Did we get your attention there? Did the possibility of an armored vehicle for sale -- an armored vehicle with a giant gun on top -- pique your interest?

Hot-rodding a Ford Aerostar, the RWD wannabe Caravan of the early 1990s, is the surest way to win over your ex-wife's children. Worth more than child support, right?

-- Nothing in life is more fun than seeing your friends fear for their lives, and for the next five minutes,

China's Changan Automobile, a major state-owned automaker, plans to build complete knockdown plants in Russia and Iran to increase its exports, according to local media and the company.

The GM-SAIC joint venture in China is set to launch the Chevrolet Trax B-segment SUV at the Beijing show in April, a local report said.

The polar vortex that's plagued the US this winter continued to limit shoppers from buying new cars in February, according to Edmunds.com.

Volkswagen will preview styling cues for its future SUVs with the T-ROC concept that debuts at the Geneva auto show.

The latest issue of the Automotive News Europe monthly e-magazine goes live on Monday, March 3. This edition looks at the vehicles poised to shake up the key minicar segment.

Steelmaker Severstal North American plans to move into new high-strength steel products to counter the growing threat from aluminum in light-vehicle manufacturing.

Ferdinand Porsche created the first hybrid more than 100 years ago and designed the original Volkswagen Beetle. Those achievements haven't counted for much in his hometown.

Key mass-market models from French automakers will line up alongside BMW brand's first front-wheel-drive production vehicle in modern times and exotic supercars from Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren at the Geneva auto show.

Maserati continued its high-profile marketing push with a seven-page spread in Sports Illustrated's 50th annual swimsuit issue featuring German supermodel Heidi Klum.

From press release

Move Motorsports Management (Canadian formula car series promoters) and Stäubli (manufacturers of high quality couplers and connectors for the motorsports industry) jointly announced Friday a two-year sponsorship agreement of the popular Toyo Tires F1600 Championship and the recently launched F2000 Series.

“We are very pleased to be able to make this announcement today,” stated series promoter Jason Sharpe.

“Our series depends on the support of companies like Stäubli and we are thrilled they value a relationship with our competitor base,” he added.

Initially the series will start to make use of the CBI fuel sampling ports and the SPT safety breakaway fuel line connectors.

“Stäubli products have been used in all levels of motorsports and we are proud to bring its innovative fuel line safety break away and non-spill fuel sampling product to the growing Canadian motorsports market,” said Doug Syer, Stäubli Motorsports Business Development.

“Stäubli is excited to be working with Jason and the Toyo Tires F1600 Championship and F2000 Series. We look forward to a long and successful working relationship that will strengthen both Stäubli and motorsports in Canada”.

From GMM

With Mercedes clearly out front and Renault clearly at the rear, F1's third engine supplier Ferrari has had a comparatively low-profile winter.

Many believe works team Scuderia Ferrari currently rank somewhere between the top Mercedes teams like Mercedes and McLaren and the struggling Renault-powered outfits.

A more precise rumour in the paddock as the final pre-season test began in Bahrain on Thursday put Ferrari's deficit to Mercedes at up to 75 horse power.

When that number was put to Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen, the Finn said: "I can't give an honest impression because I have not paid attention to it.

"I have only seen other cars when I'm passing them or when they're passing me," he is quoted by Speed Week, "but I can't put a number on it."

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari F14-T. (Photo: WRi2)

As for Maranello based Ferrari's overall position with just three test days left until Melbourne, Raikkonen was quoted by Finland's MTV3 broadcaster: "We are not yet where we want to be, but we are not far away."

He is quoted by Spain's AS sports newspaper as admitting Ferrari intends to try a race simulation this week in Bahrain.

"Fernando (Alonso) will too, and then we will see where we are but really we are still working on the setup. I have had much worse winters and then the season has gone well, so I'm not worried. Things can change quickly during the season," said Kimi Raikkonen.

Mercedes' obvious advantage, however, is evidenced by the smiles in the Williams garage, with some paddock sources believing the new FW36 is currently a more competitive package than the works Ferrari.

But Mercedes-powered Williams driver Valtteri Bottas said: "They (Ferrari) also seem strong. Their reliability is not too bad, and we will see that Renault will improve.

"I don't think we should underestimate anybody, but we're hoping to be in the top ten and my feeling, at least for the start of the season, is that cars with Mercedes engines will be in front," Valtteri Bottas is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace.

From GMM

The prospect of a grand prix on the historic streets of London have raced back into the F1 headlines.

Two years ago, McLaren sponsor Santander dreamed up a layout taking in Big Ben and Buckingham Palace as a publicity stunt, but this week the famous British team said the plan is in fact "grounded in reality".

McLaren said "new government legislation will make it easier for public streets to be sanctioned for motor sport events, and that means the much-vaunted London grand prix once again moves a step closer to reality".

Photo: Santander

Also hoping to race on the streets of the British capital is the new FIA-sanctioned electric single seater series Formula E, with organisers having even scheduled a 2015 date.

The Times newspaper added: "Motor sport organisations, including F1, have been told that a consultation that will make it easier to hold races on public roads (in the UK) will be launched within days."

Less convinced is the Guardian, saying that given the hurdles, top British driver Jenson Button "would be retired in the unlikely event of it (a London GP) ever taking place".

And a spokesman for the UK's motor sport association (MSA) said: "Silverstone's got a long-term contract to host the British grand prix. The push from the MSA about getting this change in legislation is much more aimed at hill climbs, sprints and stage rallies around the country in less traffic heavy routes than Park Lane and Horse Guards Parade."