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Former Mercedes production chief Andreas Renschler has more automotive companies interested in hiring him than just VW Group, the executive said.

Former Mercedes production chief Andreas Renschler has more automotive companies interested in hiring him than just VW Group, the executive said.

Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche on Thursday sidestepped a question about whether he wanted to stay on beyond 2016, when his contract is due to expire. "Now is not the time to think about another contract," Zetsche said.

Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche on Thursday sidestepped a question about whether he wanted to stay on beyond 2016, when his contract is due to expire. "Now is not the time to think about another contract," Zetsche said.

British luxury sportscar maker Aston Martin is recalling 17,590 vehicles after a Chinese lower tier supplier that moulds throttle pedals was alleged to have used counterfeit plastic.

Skoda is to present a design study at Geneva which heralds the next design language for the brand. At first sight, it looks like a more sporty direction for Volkswagen's Czech-based value brand.

Volkswagen Group's premium brand Audi is expanding its ultra strategy with 11 new A4, A5 and A6 variants with a new two-liter TDI turbodiesel engine in 100kW/136hp, 120kW/163hp or 140kW/190hp tune emitting 104-119g of CO2/km depending on model. A new seven-speed twin clutch transmission has also been launched.

News 6 Feb, 2014

Subtle styling tweaks and a new diesel engine for the facelifted BMW X3, on sale in June

Buyer confidence seen in 2013's UK new car sales tally continued into January 2014 as "fuel-efficient motoring" drove "a solid start to 2014 new car registrations", the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.

If we suggested a Renault Le Car as a solid, appealing and affordable classic ride for someone looking to get into the hobby, you'd probably laugh us out of the room.

The German car market rose by 7.2% in January to 206,000 units according to the German auto importers' association, VDIK.

Pictures See all 8 pictures 6 Feb, 2014

PSA has introduced a new compact model as part of a move by the Citroen brand to serve customers seeking cheaper vehicles than its current lineup. The C4 Cactus is also key to PSA's strategy to better differentiate the Peugeot and Citroen brands.

Two Chinese-backed companies are locked in a bidding war, culminating next week, to take over bankrupt Fisker Automotive Holdings.

The Fiat 500 is the first near-premium model to top Europe's key minicar segment. Its rise ended the Fiat Panda's nine-year run as the top-seller in Europe's second-largest segment.

Daimler posted a 45 percent surge in fourth-quarter profit as customers scooped up the new Mercedes CLA and revamped S-class sedan.

Renault named Nicolas Wertans, PSA's former international sales chief, as its new global sales boss.

Daimler posted a 45 percent surge in fourth-quarter profit as customers scooped up the new Mercedes CLA and revamped S-class sedan.

With only a few weeks left before the IndyCar Series gets back into action in St. Petersburg, let's look at the preliminary entry list.

A.J. Foyt Enterprises (Honda)
Driver: Takuma Sato
It is believed that the team could run a second car but later in the season.



Andretti Autosport (Honda)
Drivers: Marco Andretti, James Hinchcliffe, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Carlos Munoz.



Barracuda Racing (Honda)
Driver: To be announced

Chip Ganassi Racing (Chevrolet)
Drivers: Scott Dixon, Ryan Briscoe, Tony Kanaan, Charlie Kimball.

Chip Ganassi Racing (Photo: IndyCar)

Dale Coyne Racing (Honda)
Drivers: Justin Wilson, second driver to be announced.
As it is the case every year, Dale Coyne will reveal its second driver later before the season opener but Briton James Jakes is the favourite.

Ed Carpenter Racing (Chevrolet)
Driver: Ed Carpenter, Mike Conway
 
KV Racing Technology (Chevrolet)
Drivers: Sebastien Bourdais, second driver to be announced.
The team is still looking to get the sponsorship needed for its second car before making any announcement. Alex Tagliani, Mikael Grenier, Sebastian Saavedra are potential candidates.  

Panther Racing (Chevrolet)
Driver: To be announced
Although the team tested Colombian driver Carlos Huertas, it is still undecided and all will depend on whether or not the team can keep the National Guard sponsorship, which is doubtful.

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (Honda)
Drivers: Graham Rahal, second driver to be announced.
RLLR is still believed to be the favourite to obtain the National Guard's huge budget and if so, the team will be able to hire whoever it likes. Among the favorites are Oriol Servia, Conor Daly and Alex Tagliani. 

Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing (Honda)
Driver: Josef Newgarden
 


Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (Honda)
Drivers: Simon Pagenaud, Mikhail Aleshin


Team Penske (Chevrolet)
Drivers: Juan Pablo Montoya, Helio Castroneves, Will Power

Juan Pablo Montoya, Team Penske. (Photo: IndyCar)

From press release

As has become tradition in recent years, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will play a very prominent role at the Canadian Motorsports Expo this coming weekend.

The show takes place February 7, 8 and 9 in Hall 5 of Toronto's International med Centre, across from Pearson Airport.

The core of the series' display will be the massive hauler that serves as the base of operations for Canada's national stock car championship during race weekends. It will be surrounded by six of the series' immaculately prepared stock cars.

The display will be staffed by NCATS series officials, who will offer impromptu, escorted tours of the hauler and answer questions about the series, throughout the weekend.

Last year, Kyle Busch signed autographs alongside NASCAR Canadian Tire drivers. (Photo: Dave Franks Photos)

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race cars on display in front of the NCATS hauler will be:

• The No. 02 Ford driven by Kerry Micks and Mark Dilley
• The No. 3 driven by Jason Hathaway
• The No. 5 Dodge of Noel Dowler
• The No. 18 of Alex Tagliani
• The No. 22 Canadian Tire Dodge of three-time NCATS champion Scott Steckly
• The No. 25 driven by Joey McColm

The following NASCAR Canadian Tire cars will be on display in other booths at the CME:

• The No. 17 Castrol Dodge of two-time NCATS champion DJ Kennington will be at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park booth.
• The No. 47 driven by Louis-Philippe Dumoulin will be on display at the Eibach Canada booth.

In addition to the impressive display featuring the cars and hauler, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series' drivers and officials will be busy during the weekend, making announcements, hosting a driver information seminar and signing autographs for the fans.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7
On Friday (Feb. 7) at 1:30 p.m., Canadian racing star Alex Tagliani will unveil his new racing team and program during a press conference at the NCATS display. The versatile racer, who has competed in IndyCar, NCATS, sports cars and karting during his career, is excited about announcing his big news at the NASCAR display at the CME.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8
On Saturday (Feb. 8) at noon, Alex Tagliani will take to the Inside Track Stage at the CME to share his news with the fans, before heading to the NCATS hauler to sign autographs.

Then, starting at 1:30 p.m. (Sat.) in the NCATS display, fans will get a unique opportunity to watch the process of ‘wrapping' a NASCAR stock car. Over the course of a few hours, the No. 02 Ford of veterans Kerry Micks and Mark Dilley will be transformed from its 2013 livery, to the colours and scheme that it will take to the track in, for the start of the 2014 Canadian Tire Series season.

At 2:00 p.m. (Sat.), NASCAR Sprint Cup star Ryan Newman will join several NCATS drivers at the Canadian Tire Series hauler for a group autograph session, following Newman's on-stage Q&A and autograph session.

At 3:30 p.m., NASCAR will host its first ever Driver Information Session at the CME. NCATS Series Director Alex Nagy will be joined by NASCAR's International Competition Liaison, Joe Balash, for a one-hour discussion with racers and teams who are curious about how they can get involved with Canada's National NASCAR series. NASCAR officials, including Nagy and Balash, will also be at the NCATS hauler throughout the weekend to answer questions.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9
On Sunday, February 9, at 11:45 a.m., three-time NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champion Scott Steckly will be on the Inside Track Stage at the CME for a presentation and announcement regarding his upcoming season. Several other NCATS drivers are also expected during this 30-minute Q&A session, which takes place immediately prior to NASCAR legend Richard Petty taking to the stage for his Q&A.