Auto News 5

BorgWarner has named James Verrier, 49, president and chief executive officer from 1 January, 2013, when he will also join the board. Current chairman and CEO Timothy Manganello will continue as executive chairman until his planned retirement at the 24 April, 2013 annual meeting, at which time he will step down from the board.

OEMs looking to be the first to implement commercial applications of autonomous vehicles could steal a substantial march on competitors, a UK conference heard today.

It wasn't easy, but we've pared the list of Autoweek Semifinalists: 2013 Best of the Best semifinalists down to just 10 worthy cars and trucks.

It wasn't easy, but we've pared the list of Autoweek 2013 Best of the Best semifinalists down to just 10 worthy cars and trucks.

With nearly four dozen vehicles in contention, the process of paring down a year's worth of new cars and trucks to our favorite few proved more difficult this latest go-round than ever before. Or perhaps it feels like that every year.

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: This 2012 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew seems like a whole lot of truck for the money, considering a loaded-like-this F-150 or

France will have to use radical surgery to address its current chronic overcapacity as the European automotive crisis spreads across mature markets, said one industry analyst.

Automotive production capacity in Brazil is expected to outpace demand until 2016, a trend that will pinch margins on small cars - the country's largest vehicle segment - a top Ford executive said.

Labour leaders at the South Korean unit of General Motors are ratcheting up pressure on GM to reverse course and build its next-generation Chevrolet Cruze model in the country over fears GM's plans to build it elsewhere will cost Korean jobs.

Top minicar makers Daihatsu and Suzuki are beefing up their sales efforts in urban areas where Honda is gaining on the two with new models.

News 16 Nov, 2012

Toyota is developing a petrol-electric system that will increase the GT 86 coupe’s pace

Pictures 16 Nov, 2012

Toyota has begun exporting US-assembled Venza SUVs to South Korea in a bid to improve price competitiveness which has been hit by the strength of the yen.

Mercedes-Benz Argentina is to export car components worth around US$15m to Russia.

Thai Auto Tools Group, a Thai-owned manufacturer of automotive components, jigs and dies, plans to launch an initial public offering (IPO) in mid-2013 to fund expansion of its flagship subsidiary Thai Auto Tools & Die.

Novelis has broken ground for its first aluminum manufacturing plant in China. The US$100m spend is intended to meet the rapidly growing demand for rolled aluminum used in the design of a new generation of lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

The European downturn has reversed Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne's priorities.

From GMM

Toro Rosso will switch to Renault power for the start of F1's new V6 engine era in 2014.

That is the claim of the authoritative German specialist publication Auto Motor und Sport, reporting that the Red Bull-owned team will end its long association with supplier Ferrari after the V8 era concludes late next year.

Red Bull Racing, the energy drink's premier F1 team, is Renault's 'works' partner, running major branding of Renault partner Nissan's luxury arm Infiniti.

Toro Rosso-Ferrari STR7. (Photo: WRi2)

And also according to Auto Motor und Sport, "there are rumours Force India will in 2014 change from Mercedes to Ferrari engines".

The report by journalist Michael Schmidt said the Silverstone based team's denials so far have "not been energetic enough to make you believe them".

Reportedly, the reason for Toro Rosso and Force India's decisions could be price, with engine costs rising from about EUR 8 million at present to in some cases over EUR 20m in 2014.

Sahara Force India-Mercedes VJM05. (Photo: WRi2)

But in Toro Rosso's case, there is probably a more practical consideration, with parent team Red Bull then able to supply its Faenza based satellite with Renault-compatible gearboxes, KERS and hydraulics from 2014.

From GMM

It is possible Germany will fall off the 2013 formula one calendar altogether.

This week, it has emerged that - at the circuit's own admission - the financially-crippled Nurburgring will almost certainly not host the German grand prix as scheduled mid next year.

Hockenheim has been named as a possible alternative, and it was believed that talks between circuit officials and Bernie Ecclestone had been underway for some time.

Aerial view of the Hockenheimring.

But the city's mayor Dieter Gummer told DPA news agency: "It is the case that we are in constant contact but it has never led to negotiations on a formula one event in Hockenheim in 2013.

"Before a grand prix in Germany goes we would in any case be prepared to talk, but in every case the priority is Nurburgring," he added.

Gummer said organising a 2013 race at Hockenheim would be "certainly problematic", as preparations for a grand prix usually begin "at the completion of the previous event".

Tiago Monteiro and his Honda Civic set the fastest lap in Thursday test session at the Grand Prix of Macau.

The Portuguese driver was on top of the time sheet when the session was red-flagged three minutes to the end and not resumed following Darryl O'Young's incident.

Lap times dropped by nearly five seconds during the 30-minute session. Mehdi Bennani opened hostilities with a lap of 2m38.340, but his mark was soon improved by Stefano D'Aste's 2m38.300 and Monteiro's 2m38.037.

Tiago Monteiro, Honda Civic WTCC. (Photo: FIA WTCC)

Halfway through the session, Bennani regained the lead with a lap of 2m36.853, then Rob Huff set the first major improvement being timed at 2m34.789. Eventually Monteiro pushed the limit forward to 2m33.908 that was still more than three seconds slower than last year's pole position time.

D'Aste set the second fastest lap of 2m34.528, while Huff ranked third but gave the impression he could go faster, as he aborted a new lap after setting the fastest times in the first two sectors.

As usual the Guia circuit claimed some victims. Key Cozzolino, Franz Engstler and Mak Ka Lok escaped high-speed spins with nearly no damage.

The same did not apply to O'Young who spun at the Mandarin Oriental bend, crashed into the barrier head-on and bounced back to hit the opposite barrier.

Henry Ho did not complete any lap as he stopped a few metres after exiting the pits, when the fire extinguisher activated itself and filled the BMW cockpit with powder.