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?

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Red Bull on Friday mocked suggestions Sebastian Vettel threw a "hissy fit" amid the world champions' early-season crisis in 2014.

As the new title-defending RB10 car and engine supplier Renault continue to struggle in pre-season testing, Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko this week warned world champion Vettel that "getting angry" was no solution.

But in a website posting by the 'Red Bull Spy' on Friday, the team said a "major news broadcaster" had gone a step too far by claiming German Vettel in fact threw "a hissy fit" recently before "refusing to drive the car because it wasn't very good".

Red Bull called the report "lurid speculation".

"I suppose it could be true. Maybe four world championships really have turned him into a screaming prima donna," the 'Spy' said sarcastically.

From GMM

A decision about whether a twelfth or even thirteenth team will make its debut in 2015 has been postponed.

With separate applications led by Nascar team co-owner Gene Haas, former HRT chief Colin Kolles and Serbian Zoran Stefanovich believed to have been lodged with the FIA, F1's governing body was scheduled to make an official announcement on Friday.

Representatives of the three projects met with the FIA early this week, where their respective financial and technical plans were discussed.

But Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said on Friday that the announcement has been delayed.

Photo: WRi2

Correspondent Michael Schmidt said the delay is because F1's commercial rights holders, headed by chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, are yet to fully analyse the prospective new teams' projects.

And Formula One Management "has a right of veto", Michael Schmidt said.

"Only when Bernie Ecclestone gives his approval will the applications be accepted," he added.