Auto News 5

Toyota Europe CEO Didier Leroy says he's ready to 'help' Nissan achieve its stated goal of becoming the top-selling Japanese automaker in the region.

Both Audi and BMW claim to be the first to market with high-beam laser headlights, but it is unclear which automaker should get the bragging rights.

Ford Motor Co. plans to retain fuel economy as a pillar of its marketing, but its rollback of mpg numbers on six models this month will force the company to abandon many of the competitive and superlative claims it has made over the past 18 months.

Ten years ago, General Motors insisted that engine stall is not a safety defect. Now, in the face of evidence that faulty ignition switches contributed to at least 13 deaths, GM's position has changed.

Lithia's purchase of DCH Auto Group will have major implications on the buy-sell market going forward. It could spark more activity, perhaps prompting bigger dealership groups to buy other large groups.

For a global airbag producer, it's hard to imagine worse news: A few defective airbag inflators from Takata Corp. malfunctioned during accidents, rupturing the airbags.

CEO Bryan DeBoer will transform Lithia Motors Inc., the smallest of the publicly traded dealership groups, with his planned purchase of DCH Auto Group Ltd. But it won't be easy.

Last week, Cadillac's U.S. sales chief, Bill Peffer, left abruptly after less than 10 months in the job, the third head of sales to leave in two years. Dealers desperate for some stability will have to wait for that promise.

Six upfitters are finishing Kansas City-built Ford Transit vans for commercial customers in a most unusual setting: a mammoth cavern system carved from limestone deposited 560 million years ago.

Paula Lillard is now the bright hope for nth/works. She has come to help instill the Toyota Production System -- or TPS -- for a supplier that urgently wants it.

Grace Lieblein has been doing a lot to repair General Motors' strained relationship with its suppliers during her 18 months as global purchasing chief.

Lamborghini has released a cool technical video showing the various parts and features of its all-new Huracàn LP610-4, heir to the fabled Gallardo. The company says it's like a time machine, only faster.

Nearly three million vehicles from Nissan, Mazda, and Honda are now being recalled to address possibly defective airbag inflators that were not included in a worldwide April 2013 recall by these three Japanese automakers plus Toyota.

That pushes to about 10 million the number of vehicles affected by these faulty inflators, all made by Takata.

Nissan's recall targets 755,000 units worldwide including 228,000 in North America. The Pathfinder, Cube, and Infiniti FX35 are affected.

Meanwhile, 159,807 Mazda vehicles have been hit worldwide including 14,794 in North America. That recall covers the RX-8 and first-generation Mazda6.

Finally, Honda is recalling 2.03 million vehicles around the globe including 1.02 million in North America. At risk are the Civic, CR-V, Odyssey, and Element that were manufactured between April 2000 and October 2002.

Two deaths have been linked to faulty airbags in Hondas, both of which occurred in the U.S. in 2009, and the company said it knows of 41 cases of ruptured airbags. Neither Mazda nor Nissan has reported incidents.

All three automakers will replace the defective parts free of charge.


_{Source: Automotive News}

Three spectacular BMW models will take part in the famous 1.87 km hill climb at the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed (June 26-29, 2014).

The BMW i8 plug-in hybrid uses a 1.5L 3-cylinder turbocharged engine in conjunction with an electric motor to sprint from 0-100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds, going on to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. It's also the world's first production car to offer laser headlights.

Meanwhile, the BMW M5 30 Jahre Edition celebrates 30 years of M5 performance with an exclusive, special edition of the current, fifth-generation model that will be produced in a limited run of just 300 vehicles worldwide. Developing 600 horsepower, it's the most powerful production car in the history of the brand. The M5 30 Jahre Edition sprints from 0-100 km/h in a lightning-fast 3.9 seconds.

Finally, the BMW Individual M4 Coupe, specifically built for the U.K., will make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, combining a Tanzanite Blue metallic body with a Merino leather interior. The vehicle's specifications were chosen by fans of PistonHeads.com, and two lucky competition winners will drive the car up the hill as part of the Moving Motor Show.

Sabine Kehm says some stolen medial documents and data are being offered for sale to media and warns that their purchase or publication is forbidden.

Statement of the management of Michael Schumacher:

For several days stolen documents and data are being offered for sale. The offeror claims them to be the medical file of Michael Schumacher.

We cannot judge if these documents are authentic. However, the documents are clearly stolen. The theft has been reported. The authorities are involved.

We expressly advise that both the purchase and the publication of such documents and data is forbidden. The contents of any medical files are totally private and confidential and must not made available to the public.

We will therefore, in every single case, press for criminal charges and damages against any publication of the content or reference to the medical file.

We trust for your understanding.

According to Computerworld, General Motors of China is currently testing a new app called DiDi Plate allowing smartphone users to scan the licence plate of another vehicle and start texting with the driver.

Some may use the app to alert others about dangerous moves they make on the road or anything else that compromises traffic safety. On the other hand, there are people who could use it to get information on certain drivers.

Privacy advocates in North America would likely prevent DiDi Plate from enjoying any kind of success, but it doesn't appear to be the case in China.

What do you think about an app that lets you scan the licence plate of another vehicle and text with the driver?

Subaru Canada has unveiled pricing for the all-new 2015 Outback, which will arrive at dealerships this summer.

Offering a choice of 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder BOXER engines, the 2015 Subaru Outback comes standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a 6-speed manual transmission; a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) is optional.

Photo: Subaru

Fuel economy ratings have been improved: 2.5i CVT models are estimated at 8.0L/100km city, 6.0L/100 km highway, and 7.1L/100km combined, while 3.6R models achieve 11.2L/100km city, 7.4L/100km highway, and 9.5L/100km.

By the way, the 4-cylinder BOXER produces 175 horsepower, while the 6-cylinder BOXER generates 256 horsepower. The latter is mated exclusively to the Lineartronic CVT.

The 2015 Subaru Outback also boasts a long list of standard features including a 10-way power driver's seat with two memory storage, dual-stage heated rear seats, a 12-speaker harman/kardon premium audio system with a 576-watt amplifier, and a power tailgate.

As always, safety is a big part of the Subaru Outback's game. Select models are now available with Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and steering-responsive fog lamps. A rearview camera comes standard, as does a new rollover sensor that can deploy the side curtain airbags if an imminent rollover is detected.

2015 Subaru Outback trim levels and prices:

• 2.5i: $27,995
• 2.5i CVT: $29,295
• 2.5i CVT with PZEV: $29,995
• 2.5i Touring: $31,195
• 2.5i Touring CVT: $32,495
• 2.5i Touring with Technology Package: $33,695
• 2.5i Limited: $35,895
• 2.5i Limited with Technology Package: $37,095
• 3.6R Touring: $35,495
• 3.6R Limited: $38,895
• 3.6R Limited with Technology Package: $40,095

From press release

The Audette Racing Team contested this past weekend's Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC) doubleheader, on the Calabogie track southwest of Ottawa.

The team's only driver to take the start, Rémy Audette had a very successful weekend, earning a victory and second place finish to remain among the leaders in the series. 

At the wheel of his Dimensions Doors/Novatech Honda Civic Si, Rémy Audette experienced a very good weekend.  After the free practice, he found himself in second spot before claiming the pole position during the qualifying session: "we changed the differentials but I didn't like it so we went back to the original set-up for qualifying. I was confident and got the pole with a three second lead over second place," explained Rémy.

During the first race, Rémy Audette remained in the lead from the first lap to the last, eventually claiming his third victory of the season with a margin of a little more than six seconds: « I had to go flat out because Roger Ledoux's Subaru chasing me was really powerful and he wasn't letting up at all » specified the driver.

The second race saw Rémy start from the pole position once again.  For the majority of the race, he managed to fight off Ledoux's pressure, before having to let him pass : "I don't know what they did to that car in between to two races but it was impossible to maintain my lead, he really had a much faster car !" confided Rémy, who crossed the finish line in second place, three second behind the winner.

For Rémy Audette, this weekend in Ontario is easy to sum up: "an excellent result ! Thank you to the entire team for giving me my reliable and competitive Dimensions Doors/Novatech Honda Civic Si that lasted the weekend long," he concluded.  Rémy was the only team representative at Calabogie, as his brother Mathieu, winner two weekends ago at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, did not have this doubleheader in the plans for his 2014 programme. 

The following CTCC outing for the Audette Racing Team will be on July 5th and 6th in Québec, at the Circuit ICAR in Mirabel. This is somewhat the home event for the team and the Audette family; Rémy anticipates: "other than the fact that it's a track that is two steps from home and one that I know well, it is shorter and slower than Calabogie, which should be more advantageous for us.  We'll have a new engine for the event and I'm anxious to get back racing at the Circuit ICAR," he concludes.

From GMM

When told on Sunday to push up to his nearest rival, the radio answer from Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen was immediate.

"Well, give me more power!" the Finn told his engineer.

Kimi Raikkonen has notably struggled since returning to the Italian team in 2014, but so too has Ferrari with its newly V6-powered F14-T.

"Kimi complained about the engine," new team boss Marco Mattiacci conceded after the Austrian grand prix, "but it's up to us to give him a car with which he can deliver his value."

In red uniforms, tempers are fraying all over the Maranello based camp, whose cool Jean Todt, Ross Brawn and Michael Schumacher-led era now seems entirely of another time.

Now, rumours of discontent are rife.

Spain's Marca reports that, after the Canadian grand prix, Mattiacci had an angry exchange with Pat Fry, whose technical role at Ferrari has been in doubt for several months since the arrival of James Allison, who leads the 2015 project.

Marca claims Briton Fry offered to resign after the Montreal row.

"It's rubbish. Do not listen to these rumours," a spokesman insisted.

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari F14 T, trying to escape from the McLaren in Austria. (Photo: WRi2)

Marco Mattiacci, however, does not deny that a frank exchange after Canada took place, as Ferrari plots a desperate course to improve.

"I like meetings where people talk openly and honestly and no one is silent," he told Spanish television in Austria. "After Canada, we held meetings to discuss our weaknesses and in what direction we should go for the future."

That is because, although Raikkonen wants more "power", Mattiacci said Ferrari needs to work on every single area of the car for 2015, not just the underperforming engine.

"I would not isolate one area," he said. "I do not think that all of our problems are related to the engine, although the one Mercedes has produced is excellent."

Indeed, in Austria, Mercedes-powered cars totally dominated the top seven finishing positions -- with the only exception being Fernando Alonso in fifth place.

He may not have a winning car, but - when it comes to driver skill - Fernando Alonso has the respect of the entire paddock.

Asked how satisfying that is, he answered on Sunday: "Not much, to be honest. It's been like that for five years. There is always a satisfaction that everyone believes you are doing the maximum in the work you do -- drivers, team bosses, fans. But I would rather have less respect and more trophies."

Fernando Alonso is quoted by AS newspaper as admitting that closing the gap to Mercedes in 2014 is "impossible".

2015, however, is another thing, despite rumours he is desperate for a change of scene after five barren years in red.

When asked if Mercedes' dominance can be ended after just one season, Alonso hesitated as he admitted: "Yes ... yes. I think a lot can happen from one year to the next, as we saw from the past year to this one. Especially this year, with these regulations, everything is very new, so I expect 2015 to be another huge step for everyone, including Mercedes, but those who are below them have more room to improve.

"We will catch up to Mercedes. That is our hope," Alonso concluded.

From GMM

Key mistakes in Austria blew out Lewis Hamilton's championship deficit by another 7 points.

The gap to teammate Nico Rosberg is now 29 points with almost half the 2014 season gone, and conspiracy theorists on Sunday wondered if Mercedes is now actively favouring its German title leader.

According to them, Hamilton's almost 2 second deficit to Rosberg across his two pitstops at the Red Bull Ring was more than just a coincidence.

"I don't know," Lewis Hamilton said on Sunday when asked about his crew's slow service compared to Rosberg.

"I have to have a look at the feedback and just see what the team say about the stops.

"Obviously it's frustrating when you lose time because you're constantly doing everything you can to gain a tenth here, a tenth there, so when you lose quite a chunk - two seconds over two pit stops - it's tough," he added.

Actually, an initial analysis shows that Hamilton positioned his car poorly for his first pitstop, before a wheel rim problem slowed down the second stop.

Mercedes' celebration in Austria, for a new 1-2 finish. (Photo: WRi2)

Undoubtedly, a more pressing issue for Mercedes is the competition.

Six weeks ago in Spain, the silver-clad team's winning advantage was an enormous 50 seconds, but in Monaco, Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo was on the pace.

The Australian then won in Canada, and Williams' Valtteri Bottas was just 8 seconds behind when the chequered flag waved for Rosberg in Austria.

Team boss Toto Wolff admitted on Sunday that he thinks the heated rivalry between Rosberg and Hamilton's respective sides of the garage is allowing more unified rivals to catch up.

"Transparency is suffering a little bit," he said. "And we need to make sure this is not detrimental to the team.

"Every race we need to learn. And we can only learn if we have an open and transparent way of working with each other.

"The drivers' main agenda is about winning the drivers' championship. Our main agenda is about winning the constructors' championship.

"Maybe first we need to win the constructors and then we can unleash them," added Wolff.

Some believe the proximity to the chasing Williams in Austria, who even monopolised the front row of the grid, is because Mercedes de-tuned its performance in the wake of the reliability problems in Canada.

Team chairman Niki Lauda, however, said the de-tuning accounted only for "two tenths per lap" in Austria.

"I note with surprise that the lead we had in Montreal has shrunk virtually to nil," the great Austrian is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.

"Almost the whole race, Williams had the same speed as us -- we beat them only by better tactics and tyre wear. So now the alarm bells must ring now."