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Italian dealers association Federauto says the country's plan to offer a government subsidy of up to 5,000 euros to buyers of electric vehicles is a waste of money because the scheme is flawed.

ZF Friedrichshafen says it increased its workforce by 6% last year creating around 4,200 jobs globally, with some 2,000 of these added in Germany.

VW Group is edging closer toward taking full control of its Swedish truck division, Scania, after its buyout offer won broad support from shareholders and fell just short of an acceptance threshold.

-- The C-01 certainly qualifies as the lightest vehicle Lotus has ever built, because it's a bicycle.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne plans to turn Alfa Romeo into a standalone company, Automotive News Europe reports.

On April 29, 2004, the last Oldsmobile rolled off the line and took the century-old badge with it.

According to a poll conducted on behalf of tire manufacturer Bridgestone, 6 percent of American adults would prefer to get a colonoscopy than to change a flat tire.

Pictures See all 15 pictures 30 Apr, 2014

News 30 Apr, 2014

Aston to ditch VH architecture for an all-new platform in next-generation of sports cars, beginning with new DB9 in 2016

News 30 Apr, 2014

A successor to the mighty Veyron has begun testing, with a more powerful version of 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16 engine

Daimler's first-quarter operating profit more than doubled as its expanded compact car range and demand from China and the U.S. boosted vehicle sales to record levels.

Daimler's first-quarter operating profit more than doubled as its expanded compact car range and demand from China and the U.S. boosted vehicle sales to record levels.

Daimler's first-quarter operating profit more than doubled as its expanded compact car range and demand from China and the U.S. boosted vehicle sales to record levels.

Volvo and Google have begun testing self-driving cars on city streets, a crucial new phase in the quest to make the technology a standard feature in automobiles.

Supplier Tenneco, which counts on Europe for about a third of its global sales, saw its first-quarter net income slip 15 percent to $46 million because of one-time restructuring costs.

Magna International is expanding its powertrain operations in Mexico with a $75 million plant to produce all-wheel-drive systems for Audi.

Supplier TRW, which counts on Europe for nearly half of its global sales, reported a 23 percent increase in first-quarter earnings. The company also raised its full-year revenue forecast.

Twenty years ago, the world of Formula 1 was severely and profoundly affected by the tragic death of its three-time champion, Ayrton Senna, during the San Marino Grand Prix.

On that fateful Sunday morning of May 1st, 1994, fans were barely getting over Rubens Barrichello's major crash with his Jordan on Friday, and Roland Ratzenberger fatally driving his Simtek into a wall on Saturday.

Senna, then racing for Williams-Renault, started the Grand Prix in pole position ahead of Benetton-Ford's Michael Schumacher.

When the green lights came on, JJ Lehto stalled his Benetton and was violently struck by Pedro Lamy's Lotus, which immediately led to an interruption.

Ayrton Senna, Toleman-Hart, 1984 Canadian Grand Prix (Photo: René Fagnan)

After the race resumed, Senna's car shot straight into the Tamburello wall on the very next lap, despite him hitting the brakes as hard as he could. Part of the front right suspension pierced his yellow helmet and fatally wounded his head.

The quick intervention by emergency personnel and a medical evacuation by helicopter could not save him.

From a driving and racing standpoint, Senna didn't do anything wrong. In spite of an endless investigation by Italian authorities, no one knows for sure what really happened.

Some people claim Senna lost control of his car after hitting a bump on the track. Because of the long race interruption, his tires had lost significant air pressure, which dramatically reduced the ride height of the Williams.

Others say the Brazilian driver was doomed by a faulty steering column, which he had extensively modified before it was welded into place.

Anyway, Formula 1 lost a polarizing figure who was mostly regarded as a gifted driver and courageous competitor.

The world will always remember Ayrton Senna. I know I will. I still carry his infamous double "S" logo on my own racing helmet.

We must not forget that another F1 driver, Roland Ratzenberger, also lost his life during this very sad San Marino Grand Prix...

Volvo and Google have begun testing their autonomous cars on city streets, a major step toward bringing the futuristic technology to the masses.

The Swedish automaker is starting with 100 cars on the streets near its headquarters in Gothenburg.

“The test cars are now able to handle lane following, speed adaption and merging traffic all by themselves,” Erik Coelingh, technical specialist at Volvo, said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Google is turning to the streets after several years of testing autonomous cars on highways.

Nissan, Volkswagen, Daimler, and Toyota are also busy testing self-driving vehicles with the goal of selling them by 2020.

Source: Autonews

Photo: Volvo

From GMM

Mercedes AMG may now be at the front, but little has changed in the world of Formula 1.

That is the view of former driver Juan Pablo Montoya, who left the paddock halfway through the 2006 season to begin his foray in the American series NASCAR.

Now 38, the Colombian has switched to IndyCar, where between his races at Long Beach and Alabama he sat down to watch the Chinese Grand Prix on television.

"I watched for five laps and then switched it off," the winner of 7 F1 Grands Prix told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

Montoya said he did not find the Shanghai spectacle "exciting" enough, adding that part of the problem is the loss of the high-revving, screaming engines of the past.

But the main issue, he explained, is that IndyCar is simply better racing.

"This has nothing to do with the rule changes in F1," said the former Williams and McLaren driver. "Formula 1 has always been very technical.

"As a driver you are so dependent on the car. Do you really think Alonso and Vettel have forgotten how to drive? It's just bad luck for everyone who is not in a Mercedes.

"And that's not going to change much this year," Montoya warned.

DRS makes passing too easy
He was also quoted recently as being heavily critical of the DRS overtaking system in F1, saying the sight of a great driver passing a rival just because his rear wing is wide open is "like giving photoshop to Picasso".

Montoya explains: "As a driver I don't like it because it makes overtaking too easy. You just have to get within one second of the guy in front, press the wing button and drive past.

"For the spectators it's great," he added. "What do you want in sport? A good show, and DRS makes the show better, no question."