Auto News 5

EU regulators say they are ready to penalize several suppliers found guilty of price fixing. The EU has already fined two supplier cartels more than 1 billion euros in the last year.

TRW's public policy expert says rapid advances in vehicle safety allied with Silicon Valley technology are a bit of the "Wild West" as perceptions of transportation alter at startling pace.

General Motors said today that it will build a new "top-end, high-technology" Cadillac at its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant starting in the fourth quarter of next year.

ThyssenKrupp says its research project 'InCar plus' has developed new components that offer weight savings of up to 50% and cost reductions of up to 20% on conventional parts.

News 19 Sep, 2014

Dacia Duster kitted out with styling and trim upgrades – on sale now, pricing still starts from £9,495

Pictures See all 5 pictures 19 Sep, 2014

The 2014 Indonesia international motor show got under way this week with a renewed sense of self-confidence and purpose, as the domestic market continued to reach new record highs.

BMW will extend the contract of 59-year-old Chief Financial Officer Friedrich Eichiner by another two years, a change by the company that has until now forced its board members to retire at 60. Eichiner's contract was due to expire next year.

Ford will cut production of its top-selling Fiesta at its plant in Cologne, Germany, citing weak demand in some of Europe's key markets.

Ford said it will cut production of its Fiesta subcompact at its plant in Cologne, Germany, in the fourth quarter because of slowing demand in some of the region's key markets.

News 19 Sep, 2014

New special edition Range Rover Evoque to debut at Paris Motor Show, with innovative Head-Up Display tech also joining the range

Pictures See all 8 pictures 19 Sep, 2014

Fiat Chrysler will source a pickup for Europe and Latin America from Mitsubishi. The automakers today signed an interim agreement to develop and manufacture a midsize pickup based on the next Mitsubishi L200.

The executives chosen as 2014 Automotive News Europe Eurostars rose above the rest by pushing their companies to new heights. PSA Operational Director for China Gregoire Olivier is this year's winner for Emerging Market Executive.

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has admitted his 'double points' innovation may be axed after the 2014 finale.

This year, in a bid to keep the championship alive until the dying moment, F1 will allocate double points in the Abu Dhabi finale.

But the scheme has been controversial and almost universally criticised, prompting F1's chief executive to admit it may fall by the wayside.

"I wanted it to be for the last three races, but everyone said I was mad, so we won't do it," he said in Singapore.

"As for keeping it for the last race, I don't know. Probably not. We can't yet see whether it has worked," Ecclestone added.

What is definitely staying in F1, however, is Singapore's highly popular night race, with some saying it is the sport's 'Monaco of the East'.

"It's unique. It's beautiful," Bernie Ecclestone agreed. "We will keep coming back here forever. Some places are simply unique."

Also unique is the FIA's all-new electric single seater series Formula E, but Ecclestone said he is not worried it will rival true grand prix racing.

"It's completely different. It's a bit like the Red Bull Air Race," he said. "It's dramatic, but it's not formula one."

From GMM

Fernando Alonso was "visibly upset" on Thursday as he angrily slammed the latest silly-season speculation about his future.

That is the claim of Spain's EFE news agency, reporting that the Spaniard clearly feels the leaks are being originated not only from Italy, but from within Ferrari itself.

Red Bull had promptly dismissed the rumour last week, reported by Italy's Sky broadcaster, that Spaniard Alonso and Sebastian Vettel were set to sensationally swap places in 2015.

Fernando Alonso, however, was reportedly furious when asked about the story by reporters from Italian and Spanish publications in Singapore on Thursday.

"I'm doing a spectacular year, with triple the points of my teammate," he is quoted as saying.

"It may be my best year, with 2012," Alonso added, "and yet every Thursday I have to come to the race and on Thursday put out these fires that come from Italy.

"It's a little bit strange, but I have nothing to say," he insisted.

"If I do say something, I will do it in a few weeks time and somebody will not like what it is," Alonso, clearly threatening to 'out' the identity of the leaker, warned.

"It (the rumours) is not good for anyone. I have worked very closely with the team over the years, trying to create a good environment and going to dinner with the guys, playing sports, and then all these things are coming out of Italy. Someday, I'll talk too," he threatened again.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F14 T. (Photo: WRi2)

Meanwhile, when asked about the latest upheaval at Maranello - this time the departure of long-time president Luca di Montezemolo - Alonso played a straight bat.

"I am neither further nor closer to Ferrari because of these changes. It is true there have been many (changes) -- also (engine chief Luca) Marmorini and (Stefano) Domenicali and maybe there will be others," Alonso revealed.

"Montezemolo has been very successful but I understand that all the changes are to improve the team," he said.

The two Toro Rosso drivers will have new helmet designs for this weekend.

Jean-Éric Vergne has decided to go for a mainly blue livery that will sparkle under the spotlights.

The livery of the cars has also been modified slightly. Both STR9s bearing logos highlighting our social media activity; the web address, tororosso.com, and a hashtag you can use on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram- #GOTOROROSSO.

Jean-Eric Vergne's helmet at Singapore. (Photo: ToroRosso.com)

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has admitted F1 could fill up a depleted grid next year with three-car top teams.

Former Williams chairman Adam Parr set off alarm bells after the Italian grand prix recently when he 'tweeted' that three struggling teams are about to collapse.

When asked about the news in Singapore, and whether allowing small teams to buy 'customer cars' from their big rivals might be the answer, F1 supremo Ecclestone answered: "No. Three cars (would be the solution)."

Grave fears about the health and future of Caterham, Marussia, Sauber and Lotus are sweeping the paddock.

Asked directly if the Swiss team will definitely return in 2015, Sauber chief Monisha Kaltenborn said in Singapore: "We plan to be."

And if others also collapse under similar financial strain, Ecclestone said the plan is to boost low grid numbers by having top teams like Ferrari and Mercedes run a third car each.

"I think we should do it anyway," he said.

"I would rather see Ferrari with three cars or any of the other top teams with three cars than having teams that are struggling."

2014 starting grid. (Photo: WRi2)

Ecclestone, 83, admitted that several teams are in danger of collapsing.

"We'll know after the next two or three races, but it (the three car plan) is being looked at," he said.

The Briton seemed to rule out helping the financial stragglers to survive.

"I've been around - most people would say too long - but long enough to know there are always people at the back of the grid," said Ecclestone.

Jenson Button, F1's most experienced active driver, said it would be a shame if numbers had to be boosted with three-car team entries.

"If one car is so strong next year, you could have no other cars on the podium, which isn't so good," said the McLaren driver.

"Obviously it would be nice if they (the small teams) didn't have such big struggles and they could be more competitive," Button added. "But that's always been the case in formula one."

Hungarian journalist, Méhes Károly, is currently putting the finishing touches on his book about the famed Formula 1 driver, Gilles Villeneuve.

Titled Gilles Villeneuve - His untold life from Berthierville to Zolder, this new book contains 44 exclusive interviews Karoly conducted between October 2013 and August 2014 with key people who worked alongside Villeneuve.

Károly talked about Villeneuve with people such as Mauro Forghieri, Antonio Tomaini, and former mechanics of the Ferrari team, Jody Scheckter, Carlos Reutemann, Mario Andretti, Patrick Tambay, Nigel Mansell, Bernie Ecclestone, and Jackie Stewart.

Left to right - Antonio Tomaini, Mauro Forghieri, Didier Pironi and Gilles Villeneuve, German Grand Prix, 1981 (Photo: WRI2)

Károly was born behind the Iron Curtain in Győr, Hungary. He became a fan of Formula 1 when he followed Niki Lauda's courageous comeback after his terrible accident in 1976.

Gilles Villeneuve made a big impression on him when he arrived at Ferrari at the end of 1977.

“I immediately liked Gilles' attitude in his first full season, and of course I admired him later on when he scored his victories and demonstrated his never-give-up driving style, most evidently in Holland, 1979,” Károly told Auto123.com.

The author added that the 200-page book will contain dozen of photos, many of which have never been published before.

On 429 Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric cars from 2012-2013, vacuum pump operation could be affected by software defects and/or a blocked pump exhaust hole.

A non-operational vacuum pump would affect the power brake system, increasing brake pedal effort and potentially increasing stopping distances, which could increase the risk of a crash.

Mitsubishi dealers will therefore update vehicle software and replace the vacuum pump as necessary. Note: In the event that the vacuum pump fails, the brake warning lamp will illuminate and an audible warning will be heard.

Source : Transport Canada