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From GMM

Pastor Maldonado is looking forward to a major power boost at Hockenheim next weekend.

The 2012 Spanish grand prix winner, who chose to race the number '13' this year and beyond, has had a dire campaign since switching from Williams to Lotus over the winter.

Along with Sauber and the backmarkers, the Venezuelan is yet to score a solitary point this year as the Enstone based team grapple with poor pace and reliability.

But things could be about to get better.

Speed Week reports that Maldonado has been using struggling engine supplier Renault's older engine specification.

But at the Silverstone test this week, he finally got a taste of the updated V6 unit, marvelling: "It felt as if I suddenly had two engines in the car.

"Based on the data we have, the difference between the old and the new engine specification is 60 horse power," he exclaimed.

Pastor Maldonado, Lotus E22-Renault. (Photo: WRi2)

According to world champion Sebastian Vettel, however, Maldonado might be wrong to set his sights too high.

Red Bull has been at the cutting edge of Renault's efforts to up its game in 2014 after a disastrous winter, but Vettel says the gap to Mercedes has stayed the same.

"Right now the gap is very big and we haven't really closed the gap since race one," the German told Britain's Sky. "Obviously we have tried lots of stuff to improve, but they (Mercedes) are doing the same thing."

Johan de Nysschen, the former Audi executive lured away in 2012 by Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn to jumpstart the Infiniti luxury brand, is leaving the Japanese carmaker.

A Chrysler Group minority dealer development program can help diversify Maserati's dealer network, the head of both companies' dealer networks said Thursday.

Lenco Armored Vehicles produces

Bob Ferguson, the head of Cadillac since October 2012, is returning to his previous position as GM's top government lobbyist, effective immediately.

TRW is confirming it has received a preliminary and non-binding proposal to acquire the business, although it insists it is evaluating the possibility "as well as other strategic alternatives."

Ford is creating a $1 million scholarship program for engineering students in honor of former CEO Alan Mulally.

Bosch expects full-year sales to be at the top end of its target range, CEO Volkmar Denner said. Bosch has forecast revenue growth of between 3 and 5 percent for 2014.

Bosch expects full-year sales to be at the top end of its target range, CEO Volkmar Denner said. Bosch has forecast revenue growth of between 3 and 5 percent for 2014.

More than 3m Volkswagen brand passenger cars were delivered in the first half year, a new record.

Rolls-Royce had a record first half-year with sales up 33% worldwide compared with the same period in 2013.

Ford has a long-term commitment to South Africa, its regional head said, playing down any concerns about strikes that an engineering federation said had prompted the carmaker to consider pulling out of the country.

TRW has reportedly received a preliminary takeover approach from Germany's ZF Friedrichshafen AG.

What is it?

We haven't talked about Mazda RX rumors in a while, and we were getting a little nervous about the lack of speculation.

Local Motors, the company that gave the world the badass Rally Fighter, is planning to launch its next big project.

TRW Automotive, the world's biggest car-safety equipment supplier, has received a preliminary takeover approach from Germany's ZF Friedrichshafen, sources told Bloomberg.

TRW Automotive Holdings, the world's biggest car-safety equipment supplier, has received a preliminary takeover approach from Germany's ZF Friedrichshafen, in a bid to create the world's second-largest auto-parts supplier by sales.

TRW Automotive, the world's biggest car-safety equipment supplier, has received a preliminary takeover approach from Germany's ZF Friedrichshafen AG, people with knowledge of the matter told Bloomberg.

Nissan is seeking to give Leaf buyers a little more range confidence, and through its "No Charge to Charge" program, they're offering free charging at eligible public stations.