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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.

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.

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.

From GMM

The threat of a major civil war within formula one is growing by the day.

That is the claim of Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, following reports disgruntled small teams Lotus, Sauber and Force India are furious talks to have more income released by F1 owner CVC are failing to bear fruit.

Correspondent Michael Schmidt says the teams have abandoned their race boycott threats, acknowledging it was not the right course of action.

The suggestion now is that they genuinely question whether the current system of decision-making and income distribution within F1 is even legal.

They reportedly feel that the fact teams like Ferrari and Red Bull receive substantially more base income is contrary to European Union competition laws.

"Bernie (Ecclestone) regarded (the F1 teams alliance) FOTA as a real threat and he had to end the risk of a breakaway series," said former F1 chief Ross Brawn. "He drew out Ferrari and Red Bull with the promise of paying them a big extra bonus."

Former FIA president Max Mosley reportedly acknowledges that the inequitable distribution is also against the governing body's own statutes.

"Giving the big teams more money is akin to allowing them to have bigger engines," he is quoted as saying.

Not only that, the decision-making 'Strategy Group' is predominated by Ecclestone and the major teams, excluding the likes of Lotus, Sauber and Sahara Force India altogether.

The trio also wonders if Ferrari's apparent rule-changing 'veto power' would survive the cross-examination of a European Commission investigation.

"Apparently," said Michael Schmidt, "the Commission has recently turned an eye to formula one as there is so much in the press about it."

He said Mosley's view is that F1 must now urgently enact a three-point plan: redistribute income equitably, slash costs and simplify the regulations.

From GMM

Rubens Barrichello has denied he is about to make a sensational return to F1 to complete the 2014 season with Caterham.

With Caterham back up and running after missing Austin and Brazil, the team is still yet to announce an Abu Dhabi teammate for Kamui Kobayashi.

Reports have said Brazilian Barrichello, the most experienced driver in F1 history, was in the running to add a record 327th grand prix weekend to his tally after putting together enough sponsorship.

But the 42-year-old, who was recently stepped down as a F1 commentator for Brazil's Globo, told the broadcaster: "When I left formula one, I walked out the front door. It was sensational and I had full pride in my 19 years. But then I had this idea to do a farewell in Brazil again. But the deal was only for Brazil."

Ultimately, Caterham entered administration after the Russian grand prix last month and then sat out the Austin-Interlagos double-header.

Team Caterham at Abu Dhabi. (Photo: Twitter/Caterham F1 Team)

"It would have been amazing," Barrichello admitted. "Like I said, I ended my formula one career brilliantly, but I would have loved to say goodbye again in Brazil. Now to do a race somewhere else, I think it would have to be in a competitive car."

Asked if he would accept an invitation from Caterham to return, he answered: "Actually, it is not 'accept' or 'not accept'. The situation was very simple and everything was for Brazil. We did not talk about Abu Dhabi."

Adapted from press release

Caterham Formula 1 Team has finally confirmed its second driver for the final race of the 2014 season.

Will Stevens will race alongside Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi this weekend in Abu Dhabi.

Stevens was previously part of the Caterham Racing Academy and tested for the Team in both the 2013 and 2014 official Formula 1 tests following the British Grand Prix at Silverstone each year, clocking up over 1,100km and gaining his FIA Super license in the process.

The Briton, 23, has raced in the World Series by Renault 3.5 championship in 2014 with two wins to his credit.

Gianluca Pisanello, Caterham F1 Team head of engineering operations mentioned that Will Stevens has done a vast amount of time in the simulator, completing around 10,000km.

“We in fact signed Will last week but have had to wait for confirmation of his super licence before making our announcement,” said Pisanello.

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.

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

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."