Auto News 5

From WRC.com

Three days after virtually destroying his Hyundai i20 when he rolled six times during Rally Germany's shakedown, Thierry Neuville claimed his first world rally victory.

The Belgian's story began when he barrel-rolled through the vineyards near Trier less than a day before the start. Team mechanics worked overnight for 18 hours to rebuild the battered car and Neuville repaid them in style, making steady progress up the leaderboard until the final leg when he leapt from third to first when first Jari-Matti Latvala and then Kris Meeke crashed out of the lead.

Thierry Neuville's Hyundai i20 after the shakedown (Photo: WRI2)

The win on the ninth round of the championship was the first for Hyundai in its debut year back in the series. Neuville's team-mate Dani Sordo added icing to the cake by finishing second for the Korean manufacturer.

"I think we did an unbelievable job during all three days of the rally and I can only say thank you to our team," Neuville said. "They did a fantastic job after our roll on shakedown and I couldn't believe we could do such a good result. We put pressure on the others and it paid off."

"When I saw the video afterwards, I realised how lucky we were. In the car, it actually felt quite soft. But then I saw the pictures and said: 'I am lucky to be on the start line'. Maybe, after a six times' roll, which I have never done before, perhaps everything got in the right position again in my head!" he added.

Hertz Global Holdings raised prices for rental cars to be picked up January 1 or later. The stock had its biggest gain of the year, and Avis shares soared, too.

Hertz Global Holdings raised prices for rental cars to be picked up January 1 or later. The stock had its biggest gain of the year, and Avis shares soared, too.

Porsche is recalling 205 of the limited-edition 918 Spyder, the German carmaker's most expensive model, to replace defective chassis parts.

It's still 2014, but not for much longer. In the global automotive business, plenty happened in 2014. Seasoned observer Dave Leggett offers a personal take on some of the year's most significant developments. This instalment considers major car products covered on just-auto.

French auto parts maker Faurecia said today it would appeal against a 2 million euro ($2.44 million) fine imposed by the country's AMF stock market regulator for alleged selective disclosure of financial information to stock analysts in 2012.

News 23 Dec, 2014

CEO Elon Musk has hinted that updates for the defunct Tesla Roadster are on the horizon

Opinion 26 Dec, 2014

Great car rental deals may spell the end for car ownership as we know it but that could still be great news for consumers

The year 2014 "has shown strong recovery in the automotive industry following the protracted six year downturn" and year on year growth for Kia is expected in 2015, the automaker's executive vice president and CEO of the international business division, Thomas Oh, said.

News 23 Dec, 2014

Super-frugal Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion supermini now comes in petrol and diesel guises

Suzuki launched its redesigned Alto minicar in Japan this week, claiming a 60kg weight reduction and improved fuel efficiency for this eighth generation model, classed as a 'minicar' in Japan.

Articles 23 Dec, 2014

Limited run Mustang GT500 Super Snake conversion boosts power to more than 840bhp and costs nearly £30,000

News 23 Dec, 2014

We find home breath test kits prone to inaccuracy. Our campaign calls on drivers not to drink at all when driving

Thermal management systems specialist Gentherm said on Tuesday (23 December) it will expand production capacity in Asia by opening a new factory close to the Vietnam capital Hanoi.

Orio AB, formerly Saab Automobile Parts AB, said it had signed a contract with Nevs and has acquired all the tools located at suppliers and used for producing original [OEM] spare parts for all existing models.

News 23 Dec, 2014

One off Gulf-inspired P1 designed by McLaren Special Operations will go to super-rich Canadian businessman

General Motors' ignition switch-related compensation fund has approved 42 accidental death claims, its latest report said.

Opinion 24 Dec, 2014

The rise and rise of Skoda looks set to continue with well-judged new models and tempting tech in the pipeline

It's still 2014, but not for much longer. In the global automotive business, plenty happened in 2014. Seasoned observer Dave Leggett offers a personal take on some of the year's most significant developments. This instalment considers major markets, corporate developments and people.

The insurance industry's list of cars and trucks that do the best job of keeping owners alive in a crash jumped 82 percent this year against a backdrop of US recalls of older models that were killing their passengers.