Auto News 5

Data issued by the SMMT shows that UK car manufacturing fell 6.7% in October to 150,060 units, leaving year-to-date volumes flat (down 0.3%).

PSA Peugeot Citroen is dismissing as a "complete misunderstanding" reports it would axe nearly 3,500 more jobs, but has nontheless summoned unions for an extraordinary meeting on Monday (24 November).

The world's biggest automakers have fixed a fraction of almost 8 million cars recalled for Takata airbags, providing fuel for a Senate committee grilling the industry today for its handling of the crisis.

Federal-Mogul Powertrain has announced that it has relocated two engine bearing plants in Shanghai into one larger facility to meet the growing demands for its powertrain solutions that enable reduced emissions and improved fuel efficiency in China.

UK car production is unlikely to hit a full-year goal of 1.59 million as demand from key western European markets and Russia continues to fall, the SMMT industry association said.

News 20 Nov, 2014

Renault's Twingo city car gets racy Renaultsport version, likely to be shown at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show

Fiat expects its Fiat 500X SUV to be even more popular in North America than its retro-styled 500 minicar as it appeals to customers seeking a larger car with the option of four-wheel drive.

Alfa Romeo's new midsized sedan will be unveiled next June, according to sources. The sedan will be positioned in the market between the BMW 3 series and 5 series, sources said.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will debut a new Alfa Romeo in June, brand chief Harald Wester said.

News 20 Nov, 2014

Lighter, more powerful A45 AMG is very much part of the plan says AMG boss, as soon as they have manpower to engineer it

News 20 Nov, 2014

Porsche R&D boss says next-generation Panamera, due in 2016, will have several derivatives and Sport Turismo is favourite

Volvo said an overhaul of its model range over the next five years would propel annual car-sales volumes in the U.S. back above 100,000 vehicles. The carmaker's U.S. deliveries fell 8 percent through October to 47,823.

Mercedes's new Maybach version of its flagship S class is challenging Bentley and Rolls Royce for supremacy among customers who enjoy a chauffeured car's back seat.

When the 2016 Fiat 500X crossover shows up in North American dealerships next year, it will give the brand its first all-wheel-drive offering for areas that get wintry weather.

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone says India could return to the F1 calendar in 2016.

Last week, a senior official at the former race promoter Jaypee said the organisation is "trying our best to hold the race by 2017".

New Delhi hosted three consecutive races until 2013, but fell off the calendar this year amid financial issues and complex governmental hurdles relating to tax and red tape.

A senior official has now told the Indian news agency PTI that Jaypee has been working "desperately" to revive the race at the Buddh circuit.

"Recently, our top boss Sameer Gaur had a meeting with Bernie Ecclestone in Sochi on bringing the race back to India," he said.

"They had a fruitful discussion, and if everything goes accordingly, then the Indian GP should go once again in 2016."

F1 chief executive Ecclestone confirmed: "We had a fruitful meeting in Russia. I was assured that the tax and other related problems will be sorted out in due course and then we are good to go back.

"It is too late for 2015 now, so we are working on 2016," Bernie Ecclestone added.

Sameer Gaur also confirmed the news, revealing the talks in Russia had put the promoters and F1 officials back "on the same page".

"While 2015 looks tough as the calendar is more or less final, we should look at 2016 as the year for the return," he added.

It is reported that the sudden revival of India's fortunes is due to a change in government, after the previous administration did not recognise F1 as a sport for tax reasons.

"Since the present government is encouraging several international events, the Indian GP could be a beneficiary," an official confirmed.

But with Azerbaijan arriving on the calendar next year and India now back on the cards, the prospect of an even busier schedule may not be popular among F1 teams.

"Will it be really possible to hold 22 races a year?" said an official.

From wec.com

Renowned Hollywood actor and skilled GTE Am entrant at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Patrick Dempsey, has revealed his intention to compete next season on the world stage of international sports prototype and GTE racing, the FIA WEC.

Patrick Dempsey plans to compete in a Dempsey Racing/Proton Porsche 911 RSR in the LMGTE Am class, and will be teamed with Porsche factory driver Patrick Long and a third, yet-to-be-announced, Silver-classified driver.

The working relationship with Christian Ried's Proton team was successfully established in 2013 and Dempsey and Long have already achieved a very creditable 4th and 5th in class together at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

From GMM

Mercedes is determined to ensure the 2014 title is decided in Abu Dhabi by events other than a technical failure.

Team boss Toto Wolff has already said that given the unpopular double points system for the championship finale, it would be a "nightmare" if Lewis Hamilton loses to Nico Rosberg because the British points leader breaks down.

The German outfit is remaining impartial for the decisive round of the drivers' intense title battle.

"For me, both are now world champion," team chairman Niki Lauda told the German broadcaster RTL. "I have seen two Alpha males, top athletes at the very highest level."

Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W05. (Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team)

Niki Lauda denounced Bernie Ecclestone's double points system as "stupid", but said Mercedes is determined that the title is at least decided through a fair sporting outcome.

"Toto Wolff, Paddy Lowe and myself have done everything possible to provide both drivers with the same conditions," said the F1 legend, "so that technical problems do not decide the race.

"We have looked at every part of the car and engine and tried to shorten the life of the parts. Wherever we can, we have installed the newest components possible.

"If there is still a technical problem," Niki Lauda concluded, "then it is not something that we could have done anything to prevent."

Two rookie drivers, Esteban Ocon and Adderly Fong, will make their official Formula 1 debut in Abu Dhabi Friday morning.

Lotus F1 Team Junior driver Esteban Ocon will drive in free practice 1 for Lotus F1 Team.

Following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the newly crowned FIA Formula 3 European Champion will also run in the final test of the season.

He will drive for the first day of the test - Tuesday November 25 - with Lotus F1 Team third driver Charles Pic driving on the second and final day.

Sauber F1 Team will run Adderly Fong during the same free practice session Friday.

Fong received the super licence after testing the C31 in Valencia.

On a final note, Scuderia Toro Rosso has confirmed Wednesday that 17-year-old Dutch driver Max Verstappen will not participate in Friday's FP1 in Abu Dhabi.

Jean-Eric Vergne will be behind the wheel of his Renault-powered STR9 all weekend.

From GMM

Simona de Silvestro has split with her manager.

After the 25-year-old female Swiss driver conducted several tests for Sauber this year, it emerged last month that her road to formula one had suddenly ended.

The former IndyCar driver's programme "will not continue for financial reasons", a spokesman for Sauber had said.

Speed Week now reports that de Silvestro has this week split with her manager Imran Safiulla, who according to Swiss reports earlier this year was also backing her financially.

"I will now consider the next steps in peace regarding the options for my racing career," Simona de Silvestro is quoted as saying.

Simona de Silvestro, Sauber. (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

Sergio Perez thinks one occupant of a McLaren this weekend will not return to formula one in 2015.

He is referring to the high-profile holdup at Woking, with Fernando Alonso believed to be already signed but McLaren undecided over whether to keep Jenson Button or Kevin Magnussen.

Kevin Magnussen and Jenson Button, McLaren. (Photo: WRi2)

It is a familiar situation for Mexican Perez, who spent a season at McLaren last year before being ousted.

"They always told me I was going to stay!" he is quoted by the British broadcaster Sky in Abu Dhabi. "That was pretty late in the season so I was very lucky to find a seat -- and a good seat."

Perez is now at Sahara Force India, where he is experiencing his own delay in the announcement of his new deal for 2015, although most insiders expect him to stay.

It may be a different situation for Button or Magnussen, according to Sergio Perez.

"It must be a very difficult situation as a driver, coming into the last race and not knowing if you're going to be here next year or not," he said. "I think it's going to be very late for any of them. If they decide to take Button or Kevin, probably one of them won't be here next year."