Auto News 5

Google autonomous cars are programmed to drive over the designated speed limit under certain specific conditions, according to Google autonomous car team member Dmitri Dolgov, as reported to a Reuters journalist who recently tested a "Google Car".

In fact, conditions permitting, the autonomous vehicle could reach speeds of up to 16 km/h over the posted limit, while performing a passing manoeuver for example, or to keep up with the flow of traffic in order to limit unnecessary jams. In addition, Doglov is quick to point out that respecting the speed limit while every other vehicle is going faster can actually be dangerous, which would be a perfect example of the Google car committing an infraction.

How will the different jurisdictions manage these breaches to their traffic laws? The future holds the answer...

Source : reuters.com

Photo: Google

Four-time Canadian Rally Champion Pat Richard missed the Rallye Auto Baie-des-Chaleurs in June and has announced today his retirement from the sport.

On his Facebook page, Patrick wrote: “Yes, I have to retire from competitive driving.

“I have a serious neurological illness believed to have been caused by a series of head injuries. Although I am now out of the hospital after a two-month stay, I am mostly confined to my home. I'm hopeful I'll recover fully but it's really unlikely I'll be driving competitively again.

Pat Richard, Subaru Impreza WRX STI (Photo: René Fagnan)

“This has been a very difficult decision to make but it's for the best. Huge thanks to Subaru Canada for an entire career's worth of support, to the well-respected and hard-working posse at Rocket Rally, and to everyone involved in the sport -- you guys have all made it a great ride!

“Subaru Rally Team Canada and the Rocket Rally crew will most definitely be at Rallye Defi; though I won't be driving I'm still involved with the team and I'll be supporting them from a distance.

“I hope to get to a rally soon to start my new career as most annoying know-it-all service crew guy ever”.

From GMM

Giedo van der Garde looks set to step up to a Sauber race seat for 2015.

The Dutch daily Algemeen Dagblad, and the specialist Dutch source Formule 1, are citing 'sources' close to the Swiss team and Van der Garde that report that negotiations between the Sauber reserve driver and team management have been successful.

"Sources report that Van der Garde is assured of a race seat," the newspaper claims. "Insiders say there is even a small chance that the 29-year-old will get his promotion this year."

Reportedly, that is because Adrian Sutil is behind with his sponsor payments to Sauber, the struggling but pointless-in-2014 team that is "also dissatisfied" with the German driver.

Algemeen Dagblad continued: "The Swiss private team is in desperate need of money. The financial distress is to the point that some employees seem not to have been paid in months. It is an open secret that he (van der Garde) has some wealthy sponsors."

Giedo Van der Garde, Sauber. (Photo: WRi2)

Adrian Sutil, however, said at Spa last weekend that he has a contract with Sauber for next year, and "I am sure I will be in formula one in 2015".

Van der Garde's management is not commenting publicly at present.

But his manager Jan-Paul ten Hoopen, who is also an executive of van der Garde's main backer McGregor, said in Hungary: "We would like to continue with Sauber. We are doing everything to ensure that Giedo can drive."

Bosch has posted a comparison chart which helps motorists decide between purchasing a gas- or a diesel-powered vehicle.

By comparing the advantages of both types, Bosch offers a cornucopia of tasty tidbits to the undecided, who can then take into account the data that best suits their personal situation.

Both engine types offer advantages, according to Rolf Bulander, member of the Bosch Board of Management. “Both have their strengths in different vehicle classes. A modern gasoline engine makes even affordable compact cars efficient, while an advanced diesel engine can keep consumption low and driving enjoyment high in a larger vehicle.”

Source : Bosch

Photo: Bosch

Ford has begun an eight-week closure of its F-150 pickup plant near Detroit to overhaul it for a new, aluminum- bodied version of the top-selling vehicle line in the United States.

About 300 unionized workers at a Johnson Controls interiors plant in Ontario ratified a new three-year contract, heading off a potential strike at the factory and work stoppage at General Motors' Oshawa assembly complex.

A123 Systems LLC is in the midst of a recharge.

Subaru today christened a glistening new global headquarters more befitting of the hot brand's bigger international profile. The glass-and-steel digs, in Tokyo's trendy Ebisu district, replaces a cramped, gloomy 48-year-old monolith it sold in 2010.

Two years out of high school, Evan Fischbach is earning $40,000 a year. His secret: shop class. Fischbach, 19, has known he wanted to work on cars ever since he took an automotive class in his junior year of high school in Saline, Mich.

Hyundai Motor's management is meeting workers today to resolve differences over wage demands after losing two days of extra weekend shifts to a boycott.

Suppliers who have colluded for years to inflate parts prices for automakers, dealers and repair shops in a global market with annual sales of more than 80 million vehicles, are now being exposed in a worldwide sweep by regulators.

Russia's AvtoVAZ said it plans to cut production of its Lada cars in the next three months by 25,000 because of rapidly declining demand for new vehicles in the country.

China has told three German suppliers they can no longer manage their Chinese units independently but need to form partnerships with local peers, the CEO of auto parts maker ElringKlinger told a German newspaper.

As German premium brands lose their exclusivity in a chase for volume, revived premium brands such as Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo and Maserati are challenging the luxury-car market dominance of BMW, Audi and Mercedes.

Volkswagen plans to launch the eighth generation of its best-selling Golf hatchback in 2017, just five years after launching the current model, a German magazine reported.

Companies that draw on Chicago's historic strengths in electronics design and manufacturing, wireless communications and mapping, are well-positioned for a key role in the development of the connected car.

The rivalry between Ford's venerable F series and Chrysler's hard-charging Ram truck brand is heating up again. Chrysler today was expected to announce that it will offer a 2015 diesel-powered Ram Heavy Duty pickup with 865 pounds-feet of torque.

Volkswagen plans to launch the eighth generation of its best-selling Golf hatchback in 2017, just five years after launching the current model, a German magazine reported.

Some big rivals dismiss American Honda sales boss John Mendel's grim warning that extended loan terms and other strategies being employed by competitors hurt resale values, customer loyalty and ultimately profits. So who's right?

Certified Elite dealers can make aggressive offers with the confidence that the factory won't nickel-and-dime the dealership for doing it.