Auto News 5

A major Ford Belgian union has reacted with fury to the automaker's decision to end talks with Punch Metals, branding the move "despicable" as the manufacturer's Genk site moves into its last week of production before closure.

Nissan has launched its NV200 taxi in Hong Kong with dual fuel capability.

News 12 Dec, 2014

Porsche's most hardcore 911 is back out testing ahead of its possible public unveiling in early 2015

Chrysler Group has agreed to further expand its regional recall of older-model Dodge and Chrysler vehicles equipped with airbag inflators manufactured by Takata -- a week after federal safety regulators criticized the automaker's response to the...

Features 27 Dec, 2014

It’s a driving lesson with a difference, as Ferrari experts teach our man how to tame 730bhp F12 Berlinetta

News 12 Dec, 2014

Bold styling revealed for new seven-seater Audi Q7, the first in a new-generation of Audi SUVs

News 12 Dec, 2014

Fiat's Doblo van-based people carrier gets updated styling and new technology for 2015

General Motors said it would spend an additional US$3.6bn in Mexico by 2018, primarily to modernise and expand its manufacturing factories in Toluca, Ramos Arizpe, Silao and San Luis Potosi.

Skoda will launch the third generation of its Superb flagship in mid-2015 after the midsize sedan debuts at the Geneva auto show in March. Skoda said the new Superb has shifted to the upper end of its segment.

A rare tour of Nissan's UK battery plant demonstrated how tricky it is to build the product. The factory produces battery for the Leaf electric car and the e-NV200 electric van.

Getrag Ford Transmissions, a joint venture between the U.S. automaker and the German supplier, has named Sue Slaughter as its chief operating officer. Getrag also appointed a new Asia boss.

BWI Group provides added stability to the new Lamborghini Huracan with it optional magneto-rheologic suspension damper control system. Harman supplies the supercar's infotainment and navigation system.

Nissan is boosting production in Russia as the collapse in the ruble hits its profits.The company started production of its X-Trail SUV at its St. Petersburg factory this week and will add the Qashqai next year.

Relations between automakers and suppliers are deteriorating as vehicle manufacturers seek annual price decreases as high as 10 percent, according to the 2014 Global OEM-Supplier Relations Study conducted by IHS Automotive.

Getrag Ford Transmissions, a joint venture between the U.S. automaker and the German supplier, has named Sue Slaughter as its chief operating officer. Getrag also appointed a new Asia boss.

Nissan is boosting production in Russia as the collapse in the ruble hits its profits. The company started production of its X-Trail SUV at its St. Petersburg factory this week and will add the Qashqai next year.

Audi has reduced the A1's CO2 emissions to below 100 grams per kilometer by adding three-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines to the subcompact's powertrain lineup as part of the car's mid-cycle refresh.

From press release

The World of Outlaws Late Models Series is set for a return to Brighton Speedway in 2015.

After a very successful debut at the 1/3-mile dirt oval in 2013, the top stars of Late Model racing in North America will invade Brighton on Saturday, June 20th for a full night of action.

Joining the 900-horsepower Late Models will be the Southern Ontario Sprints presented by Sanderson's Tire and Automotive and the OilGARD Anti-Rust Canadian Modifieds to provide a full night of racing action.

The Outlaws' stop at Brighton will be part of northern swing for the tour through upstate New York and Ontario. The full World of Outlaws Late Models tour 2015 schedule will be announced in the coming days.

Darrell Lannigan of Union, KY, the winner of the 2013 Excel Tower Service 50 at Brighton and the 2014 series champion, has already committed to running the entire World of Outlaws campaign in 2015. He will have the opportunity to defend his win in search of the winner's $10,000 paycheck.

Battling Lannigan will be World of Outlaws regulars Josh Richards of Shinniston, WV, Chub Frank of Bear Lake, PA who won a special dash race at Brighton in 2012, and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, NY.

Brighton Speedway weekly standouts Greg Belyea, Charlie Sandercock, Phil Potts and more will try to make a name for themselves as they defend home turf against the best in the business.

The Southern Ontario Sprints presented by Sanderson's Tire and Automotive provided some of the best racing of any series that visit Brighton in 2014. The SOS shows no signs of stopping in 2015 as they continue to grow for their 20th anniversary season.

During Thursday's press conference at the McLaren Technology Centre, company's CEO Ron Dennis declared he wanted to avoid his team to run a third Formula 1 car in the near future.

Dennis said his team had the intention of helping F1's struggling teams in order to avoid running a third McLaren-Honda as early as 2015.

The issue of the financially struggling teams (Marussia, Caterham, Sauber and Lotus) was on the agenda of the Formula One Commission meeting in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday after the last race of the season.

Ron Dennis talking for the press conference at McLaren. (Photo: McLaren)

“As is widely known now there are certain teams, one of which is McLaren, there are three teams who have a contractual obligation to run three cars in the event the grid world championship entry falls under 16, or 16 or less,” Ron Dennis explained.

“I still feel two teams have great challenges left to get to next year's grid,” he continued.

”It is actually my intention to try and assist them to that position because I think third cars are not good for F1. ”

Although Dennis stated he would run a third car if required to by his contract with FOM (Formula One Management), he does not believe it would be positive for F1.

“I actually absolutely believe that the fastest way to eliminate the back of the grid would be to run three cars,” he explained.

Ron Dennis told why running a third car is by far more complicated than it seems.

“If you run three cars you will absolutely try to optimize the experience. The third car would have a lot more function to it than just fulfilling the contract.

“You've then got to try and use it as a development tool, et cetera et cetera, so you'd only get stronger from the process in all areas except one - which is it would cost us money. No question. So as it's going to cost us money there's a high incentive to avoid that cost by trying to help the other teams successfully survive,” Dennis concluded.

British motorsport publication Autosport revealed Friday that Steve Nielsen has left his position as sporting director at the Scuderia Toro Rosso Formula 1 team.

Steve Nielsen with Max Verstappen (Photo: WRI2)

The vastly experienced Nielsen had been a member of the Red Bull junior F1 team since the start of 2013, when he joined after a short period at Caterham.

Nielsen started his F1 career in 1987 as part of the Lotus test team.

He then worked for Tyrrell, Benetton, Arrows, Renault and Lotus, mostly at the position of team manager or sporting manager.

Autosport added that the small team based in Faenza declined to disclose the reason for Steve Nielsen's exit.

We, at Auto123.com, know that several members have left the team since last September.