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A continued slide in the Japanese yen could tip the competitive balance on pricing back in favor of Toyota and away from its toughest and fastest-rising global competitor, Hyundai Motor -- a new dynamic that would likely be repeated across other...

Plaintiffs' lawyers are seeking up to a $200 million cut from Toyota's agreement to settle unintended acceleration claims for millions of its vehicles in the United States in 2009-2010.

Plaintiffs' lawyers are seeking up to a $200 million cut from Toyota's agreement to settle unintended acceleration claims for millions of its vehicles in the United States in 2009-2010.

Ford plans to invest more than $773 million on new equipment and capacity expansions across six manufacturing plants in southeast Michigan. The plan is part of its commitment to invest $6.

Toyota shares gained 2.6 percent today in Japan on relief that its proposal to pay $1.1 billion to settle class-action litigation claims in the United States over unintentional acceleration in its vehicles was smaller than expected.

Two paved circle tracks in Southern California should be up and racing by spring, good lord willing and the creek don't rise. The two facilities plan to cooperate in order to maximize the chances of success.

Infiniti has scaled down its ambitions for Europe in the wake of the region's economic slump.

Toyota Europe's boss reconfirmed that the company's automaking operations will make money for the first time in five years.

From GMM

Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team also has a clear number 1 driver, Scuderia Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali has alleged.

The fabled Italian team is open about its policy of hiring a clearly superior top driver - presently Fernando Alonso - alongside a capable 'number 2' such as Felipe Massa.

In Austin last month, this policy was highlighted when Ferrari deliberately incurred a gearbox penalty on Brazilian Massa's car in order to give Alonso a better grid position.

"If the others don't like it, we don't care," Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo is quoted by Marca sports newspaper.

"Others are critical but do the same, although less transparently."

Team principal Domenicali picks up the theme.

"Why does Webber have so many failures on his car? Because the best parts go to the driver getting the better results.

"And this is normal, and it seems so logical that we never say anything.

"We don't like to speak of the others, but the others like to talk about us," he added.

Meanwhile, Domenicali admitted Ferrari is looking forward to 2013, even though Red Bull and McLaren had superior cars this year and the rules are not changing much.

Ferrari, though, thinks the banning of DRS on Saturday is a "major change", while Pirelli will supply softer tires.

"This year it took us between two and five laps to heat the tires," said Domenicali.

Mercedes-Benz Canada is launching the nationwide B-The Face Contest to find new ambassadors for the brand and the all-new B-Class in particular. The selected winners will receive behind-the-scenes access to exclusive company events, as well as a one-year lease of a Mercedes-Benz B 250.

Four associated lifestyles have been defined for the search: B-Seen, B-Adventurous, B-Spontaneous, and B-Playful. If that sounds like you, visit www.MB-TheFace.com and complete the online contest entry form. You must provide a Tumblr address and are encouraged to submit a list of social media sites you are currently active on.

Mercedes-Benz Canada will accept entries until February 15th, 2013. Five finalists for each of the four lifestyles will be selected, and from there the public will help pick the winners by voting for their favourite personalities.

Brazilian race car driver Rubens Barrichello has confirmed Thursday that he is leaving the IZOD IndyCar series to race in his native Brazil in 2013.

On his official web site, the former Formula 1 driver confirmed that he will contest the full season in the Copa Ciaxa Brazilian V8 stock cars series next year.

Rubens Barrichello (Photo: Copa Ciaxa)

Barrichello was part of the Williams Formula 1 team in 2011. After a disastrous season, he was released by Williams and decided to join his life time friend Tony Kanaan at KV Racing in the IndyCar series.

But after a disappointing season, Barrichello said he'll now move to Brazil for good and contest the 2013 Copa Ciaxa, driving a Peugeot sponsored by Medley and entered by Full Time Sport.

The winner of 11 Formula 1 Grands Prix contested some rounds of the Brazilian stock car series this fall. Unable to find the sponsorship required to continue racing in the IndyCar series in 2013, Barrichello elected to switch series and go back home.

From GMM

Williams Formula 1 driver Pastor Maldonado last Saturday married journalist Gabriele Tarkanyi in Canaima, Venezuela.

International media reports said the event was attended only by the couple's closest family and friends.

Pastor Maldonado and Gabriele Tarkanyi (Photo: WRI2)

Maria Gabriela Chavez, the daughter of Hugo Chavez, was slated to attend, but she is reportedly at her father's side as the Venezuelan president recovers in Cuba from cancer surgery.

Twenty-seven-year-old Maldonado, sponsored by the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA, won May's Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, but finished the 2012 season just fifteenth in the drivers' championship.

Here is some cool footage of the first ever live coverage of a Grand Prix race from the cockpit view of a Formula 1 car.

The technology was privately tested using a Renault F1 car at Monthlery, France and then at Michelin's proving grounds in Clermont-Ferrand in 1984.

Nelson Piquet then tested it for FOCA TV, driving his camera-equipped Brabham-BMW at Monza later that same year.

The first live broadcast of a Grand Prix race was performed in 1985 during the German Grand Prix held on the short, new version of the Nurburgring.

Frenchman Francois Hesnault was behind the wheel of a third Renault RE60 turbo fitted with a big (and heavy!) Thomson camera and a transmitter.

From CIK-FIA

Like a meteorite, Sebastian Vettel streaked his way through the various single-seater series before pulverising every record of precocity in Formula 1.

If the young German has been able to write such a “success story,” he knows that he owes it all to karting. As with each of his predecessors over the past 10 years (Schumacher, Alonso, Räikkönen, Hamilton and Button), the German excelled in karting before switching to single-seaters. Nevertheless, Vettel is, to a certain extent, the exception that proves the rule.

Sebastian Vettel and his father, Norbert. (Photo: www.oecklfilmtv.de)

Whereas most of the other drivers reached the apex of the karting pyramid before turning their attention to cars, Sebastian moved into single-seaters when he was very young, after he had won a selection organised by BMW.

60cc kart
With a father Norbert who was passionate about motor sport and who was, himself, competing in a Golf GTi, it could be said that Sebastian fell into the thick of it when he was still very young. In fact, he was just three years old when his father gave him his first kart, a 60cc model, which the youngster immediately set about driving with a panache astounding for a lad of his age. He had to wait until his eighth year before making his competitive debut but his talent was already beyond doubt...

Having already spotted the talent of Michael Schumacher fifteen years earlier, Gerd Noack was immediately charmed by this little fair-haired boy. “Sebastian was very fast by nature,” he explained in an interview he gave at the beginning of 2011 to the Telegraph.

“But he was also a very friendly kid who always said thank you. He was one of those people on the team who got there first and was the last to leave the circuit. He always wanted to know every detail, particularly on the technical aspects, and he was capable of providing the best information regarding what needed improving. These are some of the elements that distinguish a potential future world champion from the other drivers.”

Red Bull
Talented and hardworking, Sebastian progressed to the international level and always arouses great passion wherever he goes. It was not by chance that Red Bull enrolled him in its young driver training programme when he was just 12 years old.

In 2000, when he was competing in the Junior category, he did have the occasional good performance but was not always rewarded with the result he might have wished. Not that it matters; he didn't have long to wait. The following year, the young lad from Heppenheim quite simply eclipsed all those in his class.

During this 2001 season, he was crowned European Junior Champion (at the time, the championship was held over two meetings, i.e. four races in which Sebastian never failed to reach the podium) and he added the German Championship and a victory in the Junior Monaco Kart Cup to his list of achievements. He also took advantage of the Junior race held in the “Palais Omnisports” at Paris-Bercy to distinguish himself by winning the Friday Final in front of a healthy number of spectators who, ten years on, have probably still not forgotten the name of this young driver...

Finally, in 2002, he threw himself into the ICA category, grabbing 6th place in the European Championship in his first season. But his victory in a selection gave him the chance to get behind the wheel in Formula BMW the following year. From that moment, his destiny was mapped out; from now on, Sebastian was heading for the pinnacle of motor sport.

From GMM

According to international reports, British engineer Pat Symonds' paddock exile is about to end.

Although working as a crucial technical consultant with Marussia in the last couple of seasons, the Briton -- who worked for Renault with Fernando Alonso -- was officially serving his F1 ban in the wake of the 2008 Renault 'crashgate' scandal.

But the Spanish newspaper ABC, and Italy's specialist Autosprint magazine, said Symonds will return to the paddock with Marussia in a direct role in 2013.

ABC said the 59-year-old veteran will be Marussia's technical director.

From GMM

Vitaly Petrov's hopes lie with Caterham, as the Russian bids to stay in Formula 1 for a fourth consecutive season in 2013.

His manager, Oksana Kosachenko, admitted that while there is also still a race seat vacancy at Force India, the 28-year-old driver is only waiting on Caterham's call.

"At the moment, all the necessary work on our part is done -- and it's for Caterham to decide," she told Russian web site sportbox.ru.

Admitting that talks with other teams had all fallen through, Kosachenko insisted it is "difficult to say" whether Caterham will make its decision in the days immediately after Christmas.

She told f1news.ru: "Yes, Vitaly is among the contenders, however, so are six drivers."

From GMM

A major local newspaper has said that the circuit of the Nurburgring will host this year's Grand Prix of Germany as scheduled.

The fate of the 2013 race had been in doubt because of the Nurburgring's well-documented financial problems.

But the Bild-Zeitung daily said the German Grand Prix, as well as GP2 and GP3 support races, will be held at the track in early July, as per the published FIA calendar.

"Formula 1 will be held at the Nurburgring on July 7, 2013," Nurburgring Automotive GmbH spokesman Karl-Heinz Steinkuhler confirmed.

Sport Bild quotes him adding: "The major sponsors are making their bookings now."

Insiders have told Reuters that the Blue Oval will offer a preview of the 2015 Ford F-150 at the upcoming NAIAS in response to General Motors introducing the new 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra last week.

Both trucks are scheduled to go on sale next summer, while Ford plans to release the next-gen F-150 in the fall of 2014.

Look for the latter to keep focusing on fuel economy like the rest of Ford's lineup. Back in July, we reported that the automaker was considering dressing up the popular F-150 in aluminum, which would help shed 700 pounds and increase efficiency.

According to Reuters, the show truck in Detroit will provide ''strong visual clues'' to the design of the future production F-150.

Source: Reuters

OTTAWA, Ontario - Ford, it would seem, has taken the North American market by the horns, fully intent on stuffing it with cars that are impossible to ignore. With the likes of the 2013 Taurus 2.0T EcoBoost version, the 2013 Mustang, the 2013 Fusion and the 2013 Escape, no segment is safe from the Blue Oval onslaught. And, there's that F-150 Raptor thingy too...


The new Ford Focus, launched here in early 2011, was a pivotal introduction that cemented Ford's intention to produce and sell world cars, to the world. Based on the success that the Focus has known in a relatively short period of time, and the incessant haggling and bitching from auto journos, Ford announced and has delivered the 2013 Ford Focus ST.

Move over, Mustang
The hot-hatch segment has been an underground favorite of car enthusiasts for decades. Nameplates from the 80s and 90s like Volkswagen GTI, Peugeot 205 GTi, Renault Clio and Citroen Saxo spawned a whole new category of cars that carries on today. Consider the Mazdaspeed3, the 5-door Subaru WRX and the current GTI.

These cars represent an ideal mix between daily driver and weekend track-day hero. All of these cars provide the driver with plenty of performance without sacrificing convenience or fuel consumption, in most cases.

The latest and darn-near greatest addition to this club is the Focus ST. If there is a car currently available in Ford's stable, capable of attracting a younger audience, the ST is the one. Europe has a Fiesta ST and, not to mention, they will be privy to a Focus ST wagon (!) but I won't push it... I'm happy that we at least have an ST.

To further the point, the car has been featured in XBOX's Forza 4 since late last year. In fact, I put it to Ford to knock the always-fun Mustang down a notch and put more energy and emphasis on the Focus. More on this in an upcoming blog.

If there is a car currently available in Ford's stable, capable of attracting a younger audience, the ST is the one. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Worst kept secret: EcoBoost
EcoBoost has quickly become synonymous with good times, be it in a Taurus or an F-150. Under the bonnet of the 2013 Ford Focus ST lies a Valencia, Spain built 2.0L 4-cylinder which has been given the full 21st century-do, including direct injection and low-inertia turbocharging.

All said and when fed premium fuel, the high-strung mill produces 252 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, plenty enough to push the ST to 100 km/h in about 6.5 seconds, and on its way to a top speed of 250 km/h.

The best part of this powertrain is its overboost function that, much like a turbo-boost button in a video game, gives you a 15-second burst of extra oomph on acceleration. All the driver has to do to tap into it is keep the “go” pedal firmly nestled against the floor. Between 3,000 and 4,500 rpm is when the boost kicks in. It's fantastic.

To it is mated a wheel-heeled 6-speed manual gearbox that is designed to be shifted with conviction. The pedals are perfectly spaced for heel-toeing and the shifter travels mere inches between cogs. My only issue is with the positioning of the centre armrest; it is too large and close to the shifter, and my elbow would come into contact with it.

The ST is quick, not quite fast but energetic enough to land a smile on the driver's face at every outing. Its power delivery reminds me of the Volkswagen Golf R which is that of a perfect balance between horsepower and chassis. In the juicy bits of the power band, the ST snarls forward with plenty of authority, but it never feels like it will get away from you.

All said and when fed premium fuel, the high-strung mill produces 252 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Electronics and the drive
The 2013 Ford Focus ST's chassis is superb. It is tight, rigid all the while being pliable enough to ensure its worth as a daily driver. The car's platform is in fact the same as that of the regular Focus and a number of other products, including the new Escape and the upcoming C-MAX.

What makes the Focus ST stand out are its enhanced driving dynamics. It features torque steer compensation which does exactly that, almost to perfection. The ESC system manages torque vectoring and dynamic cornering. These aids always remain, but thankfully the ESC can be fully deactivated, positioned in Sport mode or in Normal.

The ST's steering was the feature that garnered the most positive comments from my driving partner and me. The variable-assist electronic power steering system is dosed to perfection and incredibly direct, making every wheel input immediately rewarding. That is, unless you need to perform a three-point turn, in which case it'll more likely require five or six points - the turning radius is awful.

These elements along with its uniquely tuned sport suspension that lowers the chassis by 10 mm make the Focus ST one of the best handling compact cars in the business. Paired to the ultra-grippy P235/40R18 Goodyear Eagle F1 tires, the ST provides the driver with an impressive amount of control and a solid dose of feedback.

The winding country roads leading to the excellent Calabogie Motorsports Park are ripe for apex picking. The Focus revelled at clipping each curve and maintaining stability throughout the drive, despite my occasional over-zealous amounts of speed carried into some of the twisties.

Chaussée de pneus Goodyear Eagle F1 P235/40R18 ultra mordants, elle assure un contrôle impressionnant et fournit amplement de feedback au conducteur. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

The details
The 2013 Ford Focus ST is physically perfect. There is nothing to nip or tuck anywhere. Its five-door hatchback body is as ideal Kim Kardashian's in a bikini. The more distinctive aspects of its physique are its 18” wheels, “enhanced” front and rear bumpers, rear spoiler, side skirts and most importantly, its rear centre-mounted tailpipe.

On board, the well bolstered Recaro seats and fatty steering wheel augment what is otherwise a typical Focus cabin. There's this other thing called Active Sound Symposer which channels engine sounds into the passenger compartment. It's fun but ultimately pointless. I'm more interested in the snarls heard by people outside the car.

On board, the well bolstered Recaro seats and fatty steering wheel augment what is otherwise a typical Focus cabin. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Final details
At $29,999, the 2013 Ford Focus ST is well priced. In fact, it puts the hurt on the venerable GTI. The five-door GTI retails for $30,375 and is short on power and a few other items. A Mazdaspeed3 tips the pricing scale at $29,940 and has nothing to envy compared to the Focus expect perhaps for a large dose of refinement. I like the stuff, but I'm also very much into being roughed up once in a while...

The 2013 Ford Focus ST is everything I was hoping it would be. The tested cars were actually prototypes so I have to imagine that the real deal will be even better.

The ST lands in showrooms at the end of August. Production begins now.

Toyota is setting aside $1.1 billion to settle various lawsuits and other claims in the United States stemming from reports of unintended acceleration that plagued the automaker in 2009-2010.