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A small but growing number of dealerships are obtaining tax breaks or government funds in connection with their facility improvements.

The automaker that launched a Dodge this year that can burn up to 1.5 gallons of gasoline a minute finished last in the government's annual report on fuel economy gains.

An ongoing explosion of domestic energy production #8212; primarily from a highly controversial extraction process commonly called fracking #8212; is transforming rural communities across North America.

From GMM

Red Bull has decided against boosting Daniel Ricciardo's slim championship hopes by making departing Sebastian Vettel the team 'number 2'.

After a difficult weekend in Russia, Australian Ricciardo is now a distant 92 points behind championship leader Lewis Hamilton -- with only 100 more on offer over the final three grands prix of 2014.

"Daniel would have to win all three and the Mercedes drivers not finish," Red Bull chief Christian Horner is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.

"I think it's just between Lewis and Nico now," he was quoted as saying elsewhere.

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, Singapore. (Photo: WRi2)

When running behind the seemingly Ferrari-bound Vettel on Sunday, Ricciardo pleaded over the radio early in the race that he could be driving quicker than his teammate.

It was the obvious request for a team order.

"Looking at the championship standings," Horner explained afterwards, "team orders at this point don't make much sense."

Red Bull's decision to part on the best possible terms with Vettel might be an order right from the top, with team owner Dietrich Mateschitz having groomed the four-time world champion from boyhood.

Billionaire Mateschitz told Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper on Sunday: "Vettel is now excluded from all developments that we are doing for next year's car.

"But that doesn't mean that we are going to give him inferior material to Ricciardo. He will be treated identically in all of the remaining races," he insisted.

When the familiar becomes the unknown, we panic. Often, we turn to negative responses. We lash out. We feel uncomfortable. And we are usually pretty unaccepting of the once-familiar-now-foreign object or concept.

Enter the M4.

Here is a car we've all known for years, but under a different name. Here is a car we've loved and admired, driven hard and pushed to the limits. Here is a car that's put smiles on our faces and kept us coming back for more.

But now we hate it.

Wait, perhaps hate is too strong a word -- we dislike what it's become because it's no longer what we've always known. I say “we” but in truth, I'm as content as could be with the new M4, and quite honestly think you all need to get your heads out of your bums and drive the damn thing before you go on and on about how you hate its name or hate what its done to the history and prestige of the M3 or about how big and heavy it feels.

Just. Drive. It.


Does it drive like an M car?
Speaking of driving; this is a seemingly silly question, but yes the 2015 BMW M4 drives just as you'd imagine and hope a BMW M car to drive. It's dynamic, thrilling, and quick as Honey Boo Boo on a rogue Twinkie.

The now M TwinPower turbocharged inline-6 engine is gloriously ready to play at the drop of a clutch and gear, and the sounds! Oh the sounds! Forget music, just roll down the windows, enjoy the breeze and take in that turbo spool symphony perfectly harmonized with the exhaust bark our the rear. That's music.

Make sure you order your M4 with the 6-speed manual transmission. While BMW's M DCT is quite good, the manual just adds another level of cool and control to your time behind the wheel. My main gripe with the manual? They've gone and snuck in the auto rev-matching gimmick for downshifts. Tsk, tsk. I'll do that myself, thanks.

Otherwise, the transmission is smooth as butter, pedals are perfectly placed for flawless heel-toe-ing and upon acceleration, the higher the revs climb and the more throttle pressure you administer, the more eager the M4 becomes: the shift lever slots into gears seamlessly as speed rises (and it will rise, quickly with 425 horses pushing and 406 torques pulling).

Have a little fun and switch traction control off, engage the “M” button to tighten up steering, liven up the throttle, engage the suspension for better handling, and open up the exhaust valves. Trust me, the RWD and tail-happy BMW M4 will put a smile on your face.



But, it's just a two-door M3
You're right. It is. They share exactly the same engine specs and chassis. Both are RWD. Both have the turbo six-pot. Both are available with a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Both are offered in colours like Yas Marina Blue and Austin Yellow.

Confused as to why you dislike it now?

It is a two-door M3. BMW decided to call it an M4. Call it diluting the brand or “selling out” to drag in more customers with a “new” model. It is what it is. And what it is, is an M3 with two doors.

BMW has a history of doing the M car right (let's try and forget the X6M, shall we?), and when you do something right that creates a lot of pressure to keep that “right” alive. This new M car is right, despite what some might think. BMW has kept the M-ness alive in the M4 in all the right ways, despite it being a slighter bigger, heavier car than the previous M3 coupe.

Oh, but the way it looks.

The BMW M4 coupe's lines are gorgeous. To save weight wherever possible, BMW fitted the M4 with a carbon-fibre roof, trunk and driveshaft. The exposed carbon fibre on the roof is pure sex, and the subtle yet oh-so telling duck-tail-like trunk lid spoiler is mint.

Stare into the menacing angel-eye LED headlights, and let your breath catch as you trail your eyes over the bulging hood atop a menacing front fascia (complete with BMW's signature kidney grille).

Sure, it looks wide and like a big fat pig when parked next to older generations, but I hate to break it to you: If it's not the MX-5 or smart car, it's getting bigger. All vehicles on the road today are fattening up, so let's just accept it for now, shall we?

Is it a functional coupe?
It is indeed. The BMW M4 is actually roomy up front and in the rear. My son was more than happy in his car seat in the rear (for a multitude of reasons). Standard BMW fare resides in the centre stack and the gauge cluster. Although, the sumptuous M-stitched steering wheel and self-illuminating M signature in the backrest of each front seat are the crowning touches, here.

What if I just can't stand the thought of buying an M4?
If you really, really can't bring yourself to buy into the malarkey that is the M4, then you've got some pretty stellar options, regardless. With a starting price of just over $75k, the BMW M4 requires some serious pocket change to own. With all the right accessories, that price can easily hover near the $90k mark. With those dollar signs added with performance numbers, you're looking at competition from Audi's RS5 and for much less, the new Dodge Challenger.

Would I still choose the M4? You betcha.

From GMM

Marussia looks set to revert to a two-car operation in the wake of the Russian grand prix.

After Sunday at Sochi, where Max Chilton went it alone while the seriously injured Jules Bianchi's sister car sat dormant, Briton Chilton admitted it had been "an incredibly tough week" for the entire team.

Boss John Booth is still at Bianchi's hospital bedside in Japan, leaving Graeme Lowdon to deny rumours late on Sunday that Chilton had retired after just ten laps at Sochi because he was overcome with grief.

Despite Marussia's contractual obligations, Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA allowed the team to sit Bianchi's car out in Russia out of respect for the stricken Frenchman.

Jules Bianchi's car at Sochi. (Photo: Marussia F1 Team)

It was however a risk to not run the second car in Russia, given Marussia's lucrative ninth place position at present in the crucial constructors' standings.

"It's a very important position for us and we're largely in that position because of Jules," agreed Graeme Lowdon.

"We thought that the right thing to do was to come here, take part in the event but as a mark of support to Jules and as a mark of respect to his mum and dad and to Jules' family we would withdraw the second car," he added.

It is likely, however, that Marussia will now revert to a two-car operation for the decisive last three grands prix of the season, starting with Austin early next month.

Bianchi's crash came at the worst possible time for Marussia, with the backmarker team struggling financially.

The Times reports that main investor Andrey Cheglakov, a Russian, was at Sochi for the inaugural race but there is "no word" as to whether he will keep the team alive for another year.

Defending ninth place in the championship from the similarly-struggling Caterham appears to be the team's best play.

"The best thing we can do for Jules and the family is to really try to protect the position in the championship he gave us," said Lowdon.

"It (Monaco) was a really great drive and that got us something really valuable in sporting terms," he is quoted by the Mirror.

Chief engineer Dave Greenwood also hinted that Marussia, likely to field its Californian reserve Alexander Rossi, will be back on track with two cars in Austin and beyond.

"At some stage we will need to look ahead to the remaining races of the season, but for now, we're pleased to be heading home," he said on Sunday.

From GMM

Despite having the constructors' title already in the bag, Toto Wolff has admitted Mercedes is playing the role of "the bad guy" in F1 at present.

That is because, amid the struggles of rival engine makers Ferrari and Renault in the face of Mercedes' utter dominance, the German marque is refusing to agree to 'unfreeze' aspects of the strict engine homologation rules for 2015.

It meant that Mercedes' constructors' title celebrations on Sunday were marred not only by the Jules Bianchi tragedy, but suggestions the team is playing a spoiler role in the political sphere.

Team Mercedes celebrating the 2014 world championship. (Photo: WRi2)

Boss Wolff is quoted by Speed Week: "We do not want to talk about the gap to our opponents or politics today.

"But this whole discussion about the freezing of engine development and so on -- it's not quite the way it is presented. Already next year everyone can change about 50 per cent of the engine. And our advantage is not only the engine, we also have a very good chassis.

"That we are suddenly the bad guys because we adhere to the rules is not pretty, but that's the price we must pay for our success," Wolff added.

Changing the subject, Wolff did not forget to mention the contribution that other key figures played in Mercedes' overwhelming 2014 success -- notably the retired Ross Brawn.

"Ross has been so fundamental to the team. This is his trophy too," he said.

All eyes will now turn to the head-to-head battle for the drivers' crown between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, as Daniel Ricciardo's slim hopes for Red Bull faded even more in Russia.

With his fourth win on the trot, Hamilton extended his lead over Rosberg to 17 points with Austin, Brazil and the double points Abu Dhabi finale left to run.

"Mathematically," former F1 driver Patrick Tambay told France's RMC, "I think the title will not be decided until the last race. But sportingly and psychologically, Lewis Hamilton has the upper hand. He is 17 points ahead, but it's not enough yet."

Nico Rosberg, Paddy Lowe, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas on the Russian podium at Sochi. (Photo: WRi2)

Patrick Tambay also saved a word for Williams' Valtteri Bottas, who is causing the third-placed Ricciardo to take his focus off the leading Mercedes and begin to look in his rear mirror.

"He (Bottas) is very strong and always gaining momentum in the Williams team," he said.

"He is beginning to dominate his teammate Felipe Massa -- maybe he'll even take third place in the world championship from Daniel Ricciardo," Patrick Tambay added.

From GMM

Felipe Massa has criticised Pirelli's tire choice selection for the forthcoming Brazilian grand prix, saying it may even be "dangerous".

Last year's dominant topic, when drivers regularly complained about the quality and high degradation of Pirelli's tires, now seems a distant memory.

In Russia, Nico Rosberg was able to complete the entire race distance on a single set of tires after his first-corner brake lockup and subsequent pitstop.

Many have concluded that F1's official supplier is being far too conservative with its compound choices in 2014, often leading to processional and predictable races, such as the one at Sochi on Sunday.

"For sure the tires were too hard (in Russia)," Fernando Alonso was quoted by Spain's El Mundo Deportivo after the race.

"But they (Pirelli) didn't know how the asphalt would be, the temperatures, the track.

"I think it is more surprising what (tires) they have chosen for the last few races," added Alonso, "especially Brazil."

Indeed, at Interlagos, drivers will be forced to use the hardest tires in Pirelli's 2014 range -- the 'medium' and 'hard'.

Pirelli tires. (Photo: WRi2)

Brazilian Massa told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport: "Interlagos has never been a track where you need hard and medium. It would even be possible to drive there with super-soft and soft, or if you're conservative, maybe soft and medium."

He thinks Pirelli is playing its selection so safe for Brazil that it could actually pose a danger.

"It is completely unacceptable," said Massa. "It could be cold, it could be damp, I think it could even be dangerous on the hard tires. I don't understand the decision.

"This year they have laid new asphalt at Interlagos, and whenever we drive on new asphalt it is much easier for the tires. So I have no idea why (Pirelli is taking the hardest tires)," he insisted.

Massa said he even discussed his concerns about Brazil with a Pirelli official.

"He said I'm right. I said they need to change it and he just said that he cannot decide. So I asked him to go to someone who does decide! The race is not tomorrow," said the Williams driver.

Asked about Massa's outspoken comments about Brazil, Pirelli chief Paul Hembery said: "Historically, we always take hard tires there.

"Now there is new asphalt so we'll check again. If there are technical reasons to go softer, we'll talk about it."

From GMM

World champion Sebastian Vettel, already out of contention for a fifth consecutive title in 2014, is facing the prospect of a tough US grand prix early next month.

The Red Bull driver revealed to German television RTL after the Russian grand prix that he has run out of his allowed allocation of five V6 engines for the season.

"Austin will be difficult," Sebastian Vettel explained, "because I don't think I will have much to do on Saturday afternoon.

"I'll probably watch instead of taking part in qualifying, because I have to use a sixth engine. I will therefore start from the pitlane on Sunday, as it makes no sense to put pointless kilometres on the engine in qualifying."

Indeed, having qualified just eleventh in Russia, a ten-place grid drop at Sochi would have sent Vettel right to the back of the grid.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, at Sochi. (Photo: WRi2)

I have two children -- a little girl who hasn't even celebrated her first birthday yet, and a 3-year-old boy who loves cars as much as I do. When I came home with a Mazda MX-5* one day, I began to wonder if (and how) I could fit a child seat next to me.

I first searched online to see if others had previously tried their hand at it, but only found vague answers. Since the safety of my children is everything, I turned to the MX-5's owner's manual.

The “Child Restraint” section has only six pages, but I did find the information I was looking for. Yes, folks, it is possible to install a child seat in this small two-seat roadster!

Photo: Philippe Champoux

The installation
The Mazda MX-5 doesn't feature the ISOFIX/LATCH system on the passenger seat, so a child seat can only be installed and secured using the car's seatbelt. Before you start, it's imperative to ensure the front passenger airbag is disabled.

That's right: A child restraint should NEVER be used on the passenger seat with the airbag system activated.

The airbag is activated by weight sensors, not manually. These sensors will detect a passenger sitting in the seat and ultimately allow the airbag(s) to deploy in the event of a collision. You will know the airbag is deactivated if the light is illuminated. If it's not lit up, the airbag WILL deploy on impact and your child is not safe in the front seat.

You need to make sure that nothing interacts with the seat or alters the weight of it during installation. And don't forget to slide the passenger seat as far back as it will go.

Once all of this is done, you can install the child seat by following the instructions in the owner's manual of the child seat. Any kind of seat can be fitted in the MX-5 including front-facing, rear-facing, and booster-type seats.

I encourage you to check the MX-5's manual to read all the instructions and warnings. Mazda Canada offers a PDF version on its website.

*The seats were installed in a 2015 Mazda MX-5.

The former Formula 1 driver still furious about the way the situation was handled in Japan.

The FIA released the result of the enquire about Jules Bianchi's crash at Suzuka.

Talking to Autosport, Alain Prost judges the FIA should have acted differently due to the circumstances of the race track.

"I don't want to make any polemics with the FIA, because I have a lot of respect for what has been done in terms of safety over the past 20 years. It is cars and tracks [that have been improved] and there was only one thing left: it was this f**king truck on the track," explained Alain Prost.

Jules Bianchi's crash in Japan. (Photo: WRi2)

The four-times world champion believes the FIA shouldn't allow a crane on the trackside while cars are still driving by at high speed.

"I was furious. I was really shocked by the accident. You have the procedure, but the weather conditions were getting worse and worse with more and more water, so visibility was very bad. So you cannot have the same decision according to the procedure if the weather was good or bad. That is why I say I am not convinced. In this condition, especially with all the experience they have in terms of safety, they should have zero risk," pursued the French.

Alain Prost adds that Jules Bianchi has been unlucky to hit the crane, but people have to ensure this kind of thing would not happen again.

"It was safe in the beginning when it started with the safety car, because it was a difficult decision to stop the race after three/four laps and start again," he said.

"That is why I was shocked, because you take the right decision at one stage. It is huge bad luck, but you should not judge the cause of the accident, you should judge the consequence. You don't want to have that. If it was my son, I wouldn't want this type of accident with a truck on an F1 track. That is what I cannot accept," concluded Alain Prost.

Volkswagen may use fewer temporary staff as part of efforts to reduce costs by 5 billion euros ($6.3 billion), CEO Martin Winterkorn told a German magazine.

Roger Dean Gillispie, a former General Motors security guard, spent 20 years in an Ohio prison for rape until a federal court ordered him released in 2011.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles makes its Wall Street debut to great fanfare on Monday, shifting the carmaker's center of gravity away from Italy and capping a decade of canny dealmaking and tough restructuring by CEO Sergio Marchionne.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles makes its Wall Street debut to great fanfare on Monday, shifting the carmaker's center of gravity away from Italy and capping a decade of canny dealmaking and tough restructuring by CEO Sergio Marchionne.

When the UK lost its last native car company 20 years ago the blow to UK pride was made worse by the success of France's PSA and Renault.

Call it a happy accident, but Lincoln marketing officials say they're cheering about the response to a pair of ads for the MKC crossover featuring Matthew McConaughey.

From GMM

F1 looks set to test new software and procedures next time out in Austin that will automatically limit the speed of the cars through double waved yellow flag zones.

It is the governing FIA's reaction to Jules Bianchi's life-threatening collision with a recovery vehicle at Suzuka a week ago, when the Frenchman lost control of his Marussia despite the waving of yellow flags.

But it seems the drivers themselves have also been at the centre of the proposed solution, with Fernando Alonso telling Italy's Autosprint that "I was the one who raised the issue" with Charlie Whiting earlier in Russia.

"It seems to be a feasible idea," said the Spaniard.

"In indoor karting, the management can limit the speed of all the competitors by pressing a button."

Fellow Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen agreed: "As long as it's the same for everyone, I don't see any problem with it."

FIA's Charlie Whiting (Photo: WRI2)

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport claims that Whiting met with team bosses on Saturday and said a proposed solution is to mandate a minimum 'delta time' through yellow flag zones that drivers will have the responsibility to obey.

But F1's swift reaction to the Bianchi crash does not mean the FIA has escaped criticism.

Bernie Ecclestone had earlier called for an independent investigation, but La Stampa correspondent Stefano Mancini said: "It was hard to imagine that, in investigating himself, Charlie Whiting would have recognised (the FIA) had taken dangerous decisions (in Japan)."

And F1 legend Alain Prost told France's RMC: "I don't want to argue with the FIA, because I have too much respect for everything that has been done for safety.

"But if there was one area where we knew there was something still to be done, this was it.

"So I am not convinced (by the investigation), but (I say that) without controversy," Prost added.

"In extreme circumstances, you should have zero risk. That is why I cannot be totally convinced."

From NASCAR

The Closer finally closed the deal, and the door swung almost shut on Dale Earnhardt Jr., six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson and 2012 champion Brad Keselowski.

With the dominant car in Saturday night's Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kevin Harvick led 162 laps and survived a wild two-lap dash to the finish after the final caution en route to his third NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win of the season and a free pass into the Eliminator Round of the Chase.

In a race that ended with battered cars, bruised egos, boiling tempers and physical confrontations in the garage, Harvick pulled away after a restart on Lap 333 of 334 and beat Jeff Gordon to the finish line by .572 seconds. Jamie McMurray ran third, followed by Joey Logano and polesitter Kyle Busch.

Kevin Harvick celebrates his win in Charlotte (Photo: Chris Trotman/NASCAR via Getty Images)

"I won't be anorexic and throwing up all week," Harvick quipped, knowing he won't need to avoid the inevitable major wrecks in the Oct. 19 race at Talladega Superspeedway to advance to the next round of the Chase. "This was the night that we needed to win. I don't want to go to Talladega next week."

Nicknamed "The Closer," Harvick had failed to win the last five races in which he had led the most laps, but his victory on Saturday night—his third at Charlotte and the 26th of his career—was an emphatic rebuke to the ill fortune that had kept him out of Victory Lane since April.

Adapted from GMM

Fernando Alonso dropped a big hint about his future after Sunday's Russian grand prix.

A few hours ago, Alonso was rumoured to be headed towards a 'stopgap' year -- perhaps with Williams or Lotus, both of which will have the field-leading Mercedes V6 next year.

But the 33-year-old has now been quoted by the US broadcaster NBC after the Russian grand prix that his next team will not be powered by Mercedes.

"My future is already set," he told British television Sky a few minutes earlier. "Or already set in my mind for some months.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F14-T (Photo: WRI2)

"Now we are finalazing everything," Alonso revealed. "You need to be patient, you need to wait a little bit.

"I cannot say anything until everything is completely done but it's good and I will do the best for my future and the best for the future of Ferrari because it is the team that I love.

"When you know it you will say 'it was so obvious you will do that'," he added.