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Rick Case dealer group interviews every single employee to find out what kind of job each employee ultimately wants. The idea is to retain employees who might otherwise leave looking for new challenges or a better fit.

While federal officials and researchers today envision a so-called Internet of cars that would make driving safer by linking vehicles through a wireless network, they have all but ruled out funding, building or running it themselves.

Some big rivals dismiss American Honda sales boss John Mendel's grim warning that extended loan terms and other strategies being employed by competitors hurt resale values, customer loyalty and ultimately profits. So who's right?

Certified Elite dealers can make aggressive offers with the confidence that the factory won't nickel-and-dime the dealership for doing it.

Volkswagen plans to launch the eighth generation of its best-selling Golf hatchback in 2017, just five years after launching the current model, a German magazine reported.

Volkswagen plans to launch the eighth generation of its best-selling Golf hatchback in 2017, just five years after launching the current model, a German magazine reported.

The rivalry between Ford's venerable F series and Chrysler's hard-charging Ram truck brand is heating up again. Chrysler today was expected to announce that it will offer a 2015 diesel-powered Ram Heavy Duty pickup with 865 pounds-feet of torque.

Subaru is riding on the success of its strategy to redesign all of its vehicles primarily for the United States and equip them with competitive features.

Mazda continues to roll out product changes at a pace that's more associated with the world of apps than autos.

U.S. prosecutors have learned that lawyers for General Motors were present at key meetings during which information about problems with some of its vehicles were discussed, a source close to the investigation told Reuters.

From GMM

The fallout of Sunday's explosive clash between warring teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg is only just beginning to hit the ground.

Although Kevin Magnussen was penalised by the stewards for his wheel-to-wheel behaviour at Spa, German Rosberg escaped even an FIA investigation after driving into the rear tyre of Hamilton's sister Mercedes.

"The stewards' job is to make the fight for the title fair," Brazilian journalist Livio Oricchio wrote in Universo, "but in this case they inexplicably failed to act."

Rosberg, booed in the podium and slammed by his bosses, refused to apologise.

"A real champion would do this and say afterwards 'I screwed up'," 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve told the German newspaper Bild.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG W05. (Photo: WRi2)

Boss Toto Wolff admitted the post-race meeting involving Rosberg and Hamilton had been particularly "heated".

"Emotions have not cooled," he admitted to Austrian television ORF. "(The emotions are) very hot and very high.

"In the heat of battle sometimes things are said that are a bit hard," added Wolff, giving a hint of the flavour of the late afternoon summit.

"Please understand," Rosberg's media manager Georg Nolte said, "Nico only wants to discuss things internally."

Lewis Hamilton was much more publicly forthcoming.

He even spoke about a pre-Belgian GP meeting on Thursday, during which Rosberg made clear "how angry he was" about the team orders shenanigans of Hungary.

"I was thinking 'It's been three weeks you've been lingering?' He sat there and said how angry he was at Toto and Paddy (Lowe)," said Hamilton.

"After that, and this, it's interesting," said the 2008 world champion.

Hamilton then made the explosive revelation that, in the post-clash meeting late on Sunday, Rosberg admitted Sunday's incident had been "on purpose".

"He (Rosberg) said he could have avoided it," Lewis Hamilton claimed. "He said 'I did it to prove a point'. I was gobsmacked. You need to ask him what point he was trying to make."

Toto Wolff, albeit obviously furious with Rosberg, said the suggestion the German crashed into Hamilton deliberately was "nonsense".

But he confirmed: "Nico felt he needed to hold his line. He needed to make a point."

The fact Rosberg's conscious actions resulted in contact might now attract the attention of the governing FIA, who have the power to open investigations even long after the fact.

Nico Rosberg's front wing and Lewis Hamilton's tire after their accident. (Photo: WRi2)

Team chairman Niki Lauda's blunt assessment was that the collision was "avoidable" -- a conclusion that should in theory be punished by the stewards.

"Keep the steering wheel to the left," the triple world champion added, "go a bit over the kerb and nothing happens. But he pulled to the right at the wrong moment."

That is despite a spokesperson for the Paris federation as insisting that, as far as the FIA is concerned, "It's over".

But it's far from over for Mercedes. First, the Brackley based team could punish Rosberg.

"Lewis said it's going to be a slap on the wrist and there is no consequence," Wolff said. "But today we have seen the limits of slaps on the wrists."

But an even bigger consequence is the re-think in Mercedes' policy of letting the drivers race freely.

"Unfortunately yes," Wolff admitted when asked if the team is thinking about altering that policy in light of what happened in Belgium.

"We haven't decided that yet, we will in the next few days but I am extremely upset -- I feel let down and the team has been let down. We have defined rules and we have broken those rules.

"We are all fans and we owe it to everyone out there to let them race but today that philosophy has ended with Mercedes losing many valuable points and we don't want to end up in Abu Dhabi losing a title because we are race fans.

"What's the point of great races and great fights if at the end we look like idiots?

"We hate the words team orders," he added, "but that is now up for discussion.

"We believed both of them understood but now this has happened and we need a new system," said Toto Wolff.

"This cannot - and will not - happen again."

Lauda has been the loudest voice arguing against team orders at Mercedes, and even he is now quoted by Auto Motor und Sport as saying: "I think we can keep this policy, but I can't promise anything.

"Our policy is that our drivers know what they are doing, but a collision in the second lap shows that this is not the case."

An S-Class Mercedes, like an Audi A8 or a BMW 7 Series, is a state of mind and a financial statement. It's also a testament to where the owner's mind and soul reside. The S-Class is like Downton Abbey. The moment you see it, you understand grandeur and opulence.

On what is essentially its 60th anniversary, the 2014 Mercedes S-Class has never been better sorted, loaded with more features or more desirable. A comment I got from a friend on Facebook following the posting of a picture sums up the car quite well: “They should drop the ‘S' and just call it ‘class.'”

The Mercedes S-Class is a tremendously complex automobile that does its best to distract the occupants from that. The effortless way it drives and its Queen-Elizabeth-like on-road presence along with its gobs of power make everything seem right and serene in this world.


What is a Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
The 2014 S-Class is and will likely always be Mercedes' flagship super-luxury sedan. It has been since 1954 and could be credited with having set the standard for the uber-luxo saloon.

Now in its 6th generation, the S-Class carries on with new nearly unprecedented levels of technology, once more at the forefront of what is possible in an automobile. Mercedes have used the S-Class as their platform of choice for introducing new technologies in the past, with varying degrees of reliability issues.

2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Price and Specs
A 2014 Mercedes S 550 4MATIC short wheelbase retails for $106,600. In long wheelbase form, the price rises to $115,200. There exists a 63 AMG version and it starts at a paltry $151,600.

Both 550s are motivated by a twin-turbocharged 4.7L V8 that develops 449 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. Merc's 7G-TRONIC PLUS 7-speed automatic transmission slots itself between the 8 and the standard 4MATIC AWD system.

This powertrain combination launches the S 550 to 100km/h in only 4.8 seconds and will go forth until it tops out at 210 km/h.

My long wheelbase S 550 sports a sticker price of $131,500, which includes the advanced driving assistance and Premium packages.

Driving the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
A sense of powerful wellbeing is what the Mercedes S-Class casts upon its occupants. Upon start-up, a sense of all encompassing strength takes over. Picture Thor heading towards Jane Foster to save her. That feeling of relief, safety and that everything will be OK washes over her. The S-Class does the same, to its occupants.

A light tug downwards on the column-mounted shifter puts the 7G-TRONIC in “D” and with determined throttle application, the S 550 lusts towards the horizon. This car does nothing sharply; the S picks you up and forcefully yet gently pushes forward with force akin to that of Thor throwing his hammer.

The rumble from the V8 is present however muffled by the incredible level of sound-deadening materials. The soundtrack increases ever so slightly as the revs build towards 6,500 rpm, but the gauge that deserves attention is the speedometer as it climbs at a rate that defies logic for such a huge car.

The 2014 Mercedes S-Class weight is perfectly managed unless the car is tossed into a decreasing radius onramp. Otherwise, this ultra-mega-super-luxury car floats above nearly all imperfections with uncanny ease thanks to its standard continually adaptive damping of the S-Class' AIRMATIC suspension. The German engineers from Stuttgart have taken refinement to a level that Bentley and Rolls-Royce attain: this in a car that retails for far less than a Mulsanne or a Ghost.

Driving, or piloting, this luxury cruise ship is an experience unto itself. Manipulating the sumptuous wood and leather steering wheel results in the hood-ornament-adorned nose slowly banking over to one side in the glossiest possible manner. Steering weights up properly at highway speeds, but again nothing is ever sharp.

The 2014 Mercedes S-Class' countless bits of technology come together to create the ultimate in high-end driving experience. The S-Class is actually capable of driving itself for a few moments thanks to DISTRONIC PLUS with Steer Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, and collision prevention assist. These systems use radar and camera to steer, accelerate, and brake the car. The combined systems will “drive” the S-Class but only for a few moments until a warning chime is heard. At this point, best to put both hands back on the wheel.

Inside and Out of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Like the Abbey, it's not especially boisterous visually but leaves no doubt as to what the car stands for. The new 2014 Benzo S-Class is not beautiful. In fact, few would ever state that such and such generation of the S-Class is gorgeous but this one tips the scale in favour of a serious “wow” and “damn, that's kinda hot.”

The new C-Class may be the only pretty Mercedes at the moment and, given that it has been referred to as the baby S-Class, I supposed the S 550 is handsome.

Where the new 2014 Mercedes S-Class really demonstrates how special a car it is is within the confines of its crisp and muscular body panels. The cabin is sumptuous, regal, and insanely comfortable and spacious.

The car's inner sanctum is covered in the finest hides, steels, and woods. The string of pearls layout of the vents (along with start-button and clock) is simply beautiful. The screens, however, are not, especially when off. When on, their graphics and animation are fantastic. The Burmester audio system creates sounds as gorgeous as the machined aluminum grills are. Every aspect of the S 550's interior received what can only be described as an inordinate amount of attention. The incredible ambient lighting is another example.

The rear bench is exceptionally roomy and welcoming. Few large sedans are as welcoming where being driven everywhere really wouldn't be a bad thing. In short, the 2014 S 550's cabin is stylish and fantastically good for one's health.

Comparing the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class faces off with a number of flagship juggernauts including the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Porsche Panamera, Lexus LS and, the current star of the segment, the Tesla Model S.

I truly enjoyed the S 550, however, the Tesla tugs at all my strings and would win my affections if I were fortunate enough to be in the market for such a car. The Model S' cabin may not be as special, but for nearly every other aspect, go Tesla.

The collision that ruined the races of Mercedes' teammate Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton on lap 2 of the Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix yesterday will undoubtedly have major consequences.

But first, the FIA is not expected to launch a retrospective investigation into the clash despite Hamilton's claim his teammate confessed to causing the collision during the Mercedes post-race debrief.

In fact, close examination of the collision reveals that Rosberg suddenly swung back into the leading Mercedes of Hamilton in a second movement through the chicane

However, sources close to the governing body have revealed the FIA regard the incident as closed after the Spa stewards adjudged the collision as a racing incident.

Several former F1 drivers put the blame on Rosberg.

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W05. (Photo: WRi2)

"It was outrageous. I think with everything we've seen and know about now with Nico saying he didn't want to back out of a collision that was obviously going to happen - if you don't back out you're going to hit something. He's got history; we have to go back to 2012 where he actually drove Lewis Hamilton off the track in Bahrain, and Fernando Alonso in exactly the same race," said Johnny Herbert on Sky Sports F1.

Martin Brundle saw things a bit differently. "My interpretation of his words is ‘I refuse to get out of the way' rather than going and hitting him," he said.

“If you run into somebody you're guaranteed to break your wing, you're nowhere near guaranteed to puncture another driver's tyre, although it's possible. It seems to me he's saying that ‘I deserved more space' - which he didn't. Unless you're fully alongside the rules are the driver in front is allowed to take the normal racing line, although he can't force you off the road necessarily, and there is an escape road there,” he explained.

“The rules say you have to have a significant part of the car alongside [to attack] but there's not a significant part alongside, he was never in a position to mount a challenge,” declared Anthony Davidson.

“It was clumsy driving from an experienced driver. There was a double movement on the wheel, went to turn in once and then again and it was on that second time that the contact was made. If that was an inexperienced rookie driver, he would be hammered. Hamilton is on the normal racing line and Rosberg is an area where he had to back out. I can understand why people are so unhappy with the move,” Davidson said.

McLaren's director of racing Eric Boullier said he truly enjoyed the action-packed Belgian Grand Prix and has backed Kevin Magnussen over his aggressive driving against Fernando Alonso.

During the closing moments of the race, Magnussen and Alonso fought hard while overtaking lapped traffic.

The Ferrari and the McLaren took the slipstream of a Caterham. Alonso tried to pass the McLaren, dropping two wheels into the grass at more than 300 km/h
"Then there was a little bit of action in the next corners,” said Alonso.

Magnussen was penalised for his action. The Dane was handed a 20-second penalty, which relegated from sixth position to 12th overall.

Kevin Magnussen (McLaren) and Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) at Spa. (Photo: WRi2)

However, Boullier defended Magnussen's aggressive driving, saying that F1 should be embracing such exciting battles at a time when some are complaining the sport is boring.

"I love it. This is racing," Boullier told Autosport magazine. "It is all what we are talking about, and I think we had an incident-packed race, so it was a great race."

Eric Boullier says Kevin Magnussen is driving very well now.

"Obviously it is part of the experience he is gaining over the season," Boullier explained. "He is very motivated.

"He is new to the category and it is nice to see the big boys a pushing a little bit to show him 'stay behind, kid'. It is part of the learning process, so it is good.

"I think it is not easy to step into F1, especially with a top team. There is a lot of pressure in delivering when there is no more testing. It is not easy,” Eric Boullier declared.

Going to school out of town is big step in a teenager's life. The same goes for a first job. In both instances, punctuality is key and therefore, the argument for a reliable new car can be made.

The purchase of a new car is and always will be a large purchase. The new car market is flooded with countless new offerings, and many look like one another. It can be difficult to navigate through this vast ocean of makes and models.

For those looking for a first new car, here's the list of cars I'd consider:

No. 10
Nissan LEAF
If you've got a little more coin to spend than the average student and want to demonstrate your beliefs, the LEAF is a superb electric car. Range needs to be considered, but you likely live well under 100 km from school or work.

Photo: Nissan

Continue reading Top 10: New cars for Young'uns

There was a big crash for Tomas Enge in his Lamborghini at the start of the BlancPain Endurance Qualifying Race at Slovakia Ring.

The was red flagged moment after the start after Enge, a former Formula 3000 champion and former Formula 1 driver, crashed hard.

In the hustle of the opening lap Enge lost control of his No. 88 Reiter Engineering Lamborghini, hitting the barriers hard and rolling the car several times.

The Czech driver was unharmed, but the barriers needed to be repaired so the race had to be interrupted.

From GMM

Daniel Ricciardo has declared himself in the hunt for the 2014 world championship.

Before the title war between Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg exploded in Belgium, no one would have bet against a dominant victory for one or the other of the silver-clad duo.

But as their personal battle spilled into on-track carnage at Spa-Francorchamps, Red Bull's surprise newcomer Ricciardo grinned through the melee to secure his second consecutive race victory.

It was the Australian's third win of the season and his career, and a look at the drivers' standings shows he is now only 35 points behind Hamilton for second.

"The fact that Daniel only has one win less than Nico is really remarkable," said team boss Christian Horner.

Closing down the 64 point gap to championship leader Rosberg is more unlikely, but it cannot be forgotten that the winner of November's Abu Dhabi finale will secure no fewer than 50 points.

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, winner in Belgium. (Photo: WRi2)

It is enough of a concern for Mercedes that, after Sunday's clash, the dominant Brackley based team is rethinking its policy on standing team orders.

As was expected, Mercedes' engine advantage shone through on the long stretches at Spa-Francorchamps, but Red Bull's Renault-powered car also looked quick in a straight line on Sunday.

"I guess on TV you could see that the rear wing was pretty simple, there wasn't much to it," said Ricciardo, "but obviously it was a good package here and we'll see if the Monza wing can get any smaller!

"Monza we know will be tricky again but obviously the package we brought here was pretty racy, and then I think Singapore and Suzuka will be pretty good for us," he added.

Ricciardo acknowledged that winning the championship is a long shot, but he insisted he will keep pushing anyway.

"If I'm within fifty (points) coming into Abu Dhabi then it's still mathematically possible -- we'll keep fighting."

Daniel Ricciardo, third win of the season. (Photo: WRi2)

The added bonus for Ricciardo is that he has achieved his success alongside none other than reigning quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel, and his demeanour on Sunday indicated he is yet to feel the weight of the growing pressure.

"I'm enjoying it more than ever," he said. "Each race that goes on I'm having more and more fun. The in-team battle has, let's say, gone really well. I think the team has been really pleased and I've been pleased so we're in a good place."

German television commentator and former driver Marc Surer echoes Ricciardo's claim that the title cannot be ruled out, but he also acknowledged that overcoming the might of Mercedes' dominance is unlikely.

"That would be amazing," he said, "and I almost can't imagine it. Of course, if it carries on like this and looking at the (double) points situation for the final race, then it is possible. But I don't think so. There will be races again where Mercedes will clearly dominate, driving all alone at the front of the field," added Surer.

From wrc.com

Thierry Neuville claimed a rags-to-riches first world rally victory in Germany Sunday, three days after virtually destroying his car when he rolled six times at pre-event shakedown.

In a chaotic final day at ADAC Rallye Deutschland, Neuville climbed from third after first Jari-Matti Latvala and then Kris Meeke crashed out of the lead.

The win on this ninth round of the FIA World Rally Championship was the first for Hyundai in its debut year back in the series. Dani Sordo added icing to the cake by finishing second for the Korean manufacturer.

Neuville's story began on Thursday morning when he barrel-rolled through the vineyards near Trier. Team mechanics worked for 18 hours to rebuild the battered i20 car and Neuville repaid them in style, becoming only the second Belgian to win a world rally and the first since François Duval in 2005.

Latvala, chasing his first asphalt win to reignite his title bid, was almost a minute clear when he started the first of the final four stages in the vineyards on the banks of the Mosel River.

Jari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Polo R. (Photo: WRC)

However, he crashed his Volkswagen Polo R in treacherously slippery conditions, handing Meeke an 8.4sec advantage over Neuville. But the Northern Irishman hit a wall early in the next test after a recce pace note error, ripping the left rear wheel from his Citroen DS3.

Neuville, who admitted dropping two wheels into a ditch in the opening stage, was in the clear and finished 40.7sec ahead of Sordo. The Spaniard enjoyed a clean run on his first rally since May, aside from a sixth gear spin yesterday after aquaplaning.

Co-driver Miikka Anttila surveys Jari-Matti Latvala's damaged car

Andreas Mikkelsen survived a spin where Latvala crashed to take third in a Polo R, 17.3sec further back. Elfyn Evans excelled on his debut asphalt event in a World Rally Car, matching a career-best fourth place after outgunning more experienced Ford Fiesta RS team-mate Mikko Hirvonen by 6.9sec.

Despite retiring after two crashes, Sébastien Ogier's retains a 44-point lead over Latvala in the standings. Although a wretched weekend meant it failed to clinch the manufacturers' title, the results guaranteed a Volkswagen driver - Latvala, Ogier, or Mikkelsen - will win the drivers' crown.

From GMM

Heikki Kovalainen looks set to rebuild his motor racing career in the German touring car series DTM.

According to the Finnish broadcaster MTV3, the German marque BMW has announced that the Finn will test a 2014-spec M4 during this week's Lausitzring test.

Former Renault and McLaren driver Kovalainen, 32, lost his Caterham seat at the end of 2012 and his last two grands prix were at the end of last season for Lotus, replacing his injured Finnish countryman Kimi Raikkonen.

BMW said Kovalainen "will use the opportunity at the Lausitzring to gain an impression of the BMW M4 DTM".

BMW M4 DTM. (Photo: BMW Motorsport)

From GMM

Struggling world champion Sebastian Vettel will get a new race engineer for the 2015 season.

This year defending his fourth consecutive drivers' title, the German has notably struggled in 2014 alongside new teammate Daniel Ricciardo.

Australian Ricciardo drove through the Mercedes shenanigans on Sunday to win his second consecutive race -- his third of the season and his career.

In contrast, and earning many multiples more millions, Vettel has yet to break through this season, and at the drivers' circuit Spa-Francorchamps he finished fifth and almost a minute behind the sister car.

Vettel complained afterwards of a probable car defect, telling German reporters he felt he had been sent into "war with a wooden stick".

But that is not necessarily why Vettel's race engineer Guillaume Roquelin, known affectionately as 'Rocky', will no longer be in that role with the 27-year-old in 2015.

Sebastian Vettel and Guillaume Roquelin, Red Bull Racing. (Photo: WRi2)

"These are restructuring measures to improve the team," Dr Helmut Marko told German television Sky at Spa, responding to the reports about 'Rocky' that emerged on Sunday.

Team technical boss Adrian Newey is stepping back after Christmas, but Red Bull will not directly replace him.

"I think that at the track in Paul Monaghan, 'Rocky' and Simon (Rennie) we have three very able technical people and I see no reason why they shouldn't be able to take those decisions," Newey had said earlier in Belgium.

Germany's Welt newspaper claims the promoted 'Rocky' will be replaced at Vettel's side by Gianpiero Lambiase, currently Sergio Perez's engineer at Force India.

Helmut Marko said: "Sebastian knows who is coming -- he was involved in the talks."

Meanwhile, despite being nominated by DTM driver Timo Glock for the now-famous 'ice bucket challenge', Vettel has turned it down.

"I think I'll skip the shower and just give a donation," he is quoted by the Swiss newspaper Blick.