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China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is to establish a mechanism to strengthen the country's auto industry and put an end to the present permanent qualification of motor vehicle manufacturing enterprises.

Renault is welcoming this week's announcement by the French government of its automotive support plan designed in part, to offset the impact of PSA Peugeot Citroen's massive job cuts proposals.

Renault's first-half operating profit fell compared with a year ago but analysts said the automaker's performance was good given plummeting demand in Europe.

General Motors has green-lighted the development of a large flagship sedan for

Pirelli has posted half year net profit up 39.6% to EUR222m (US$273m), while revenues increased 8.3% to EUR3.02bn.

Renault has reported first half net income plunging to EUR786m (US$966m) from EUR1.3bn last year.

Michelin said first-half net profit rose 37 percent as price increases helped to offset the slump in Europe's auto market. The tiremaker confirmed that it expects a full-year rise in operating income.

BorgWarner and Dana lowered their forecasts for annual sales and profit because of the economic slowdown in Europe and other markets.

The Volkswagen brand's U.S. product planner wants a more Americanized lineup. His wish list calls for a small, locally built SUV, more diesels and possibly a return of the Phaeton.

VW threatened to leave European auto industry group ACEA in response to comments by Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne about VW's pricing strategy. The threat highlights rising tensions in the industry as sales slump.

Honda has a few tricks up its sleeve for the third-generation Fit/Jazz due to launch next year.

BMW will sell cars over the Web for the first time as the world's largest maker of luxury vehicles seeks an inexpensive way to reach more buyers to recoup spending on its electric models.

Kia reported lower second-quarter profits after the company increased marketing costs for new vehicles. Net income fell 2.8 percent to 1.1 trillion won ($960 million), compared with a revised 1.13 trillion won a year earlier.

Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) sets the fastest lap of the two Friday free practice sessions, at the Hungaroring

On a dry track, the two McLaren set the pace and took the lead by mid-morning session. Even Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) approaching in the third place, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button finished on top the first session.

Among the Friday drivers, Valtteri Bottas sets the ninth place with the Williams FW34.

Lewis Hamilton, McLaren. (Photo: McLaren)

The track was improving in the second session and the lap times get down until the rain arrives at 40 minutes to go. In order to collect some valuable data, several drivers were back on track after the shower. Some in intermediate tires, some others on slicks, but the timesheet will remain unchanged. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) was the fastest again, ahead of Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) and Bruno Senna (Williams).

Kimi Raikkonen out on a dry track in the 2nd session. (Photo: Lotus F1)

Hungarian Grand Prix - Hungaroring
Friday, July 27 2012

Results of the first free practice session*:
1 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1'22"821 - 30 laps
2 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1'22"922 - 24
3 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F2012) - 1'23"397 - 24
4 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1'23"628 - 29
5 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1'23"633 - 24
6 - Michael Schumacher (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1'23"845 - 26
7 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F2012) - 1'23"904 - 25
8 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1'23"983 - 24
9 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'24"152 - 24
10 - Sergio Perez (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1'24"268 - 27
11 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'24"300 - 23
12 - Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1'24"394 - 19
13 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1'24"546 - 24
14 - Paul di Resta (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'24"559 - 22
15 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1'24"608 - 25
16 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1'25"354 - 25
17 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1'25"559 - 27
18 - Jules Bianchi (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'25"715 - 26
19 - Vitaly Petrov (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1'26"440 - 27
20 - Charles Pic (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1'26"705 - 23
21 - Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1'26"755 - 26
22 - Timo Glock (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1'27"015 - 24
23 - Pedro de la Rosa (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1'27"101 - 21
24 - Dani Clos (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1'28"176 - 24

Results of the second free practice session*:
1 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1'21"995 - 20 laps
2 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1'22"180 - 20
3 - Bruno Senna (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'22"253 - 33
4 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F2012) - 1'22"417 - 28
5 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F2012) - 1'22"582 - 22
6 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1'22"747 - 17
7 - Paul di Resta (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'22"794 - 23
8 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1'22"824 - 18
9 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1'22"922 - 12
10 - Michael Schumacher (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1'23"160 - 19
11 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1'23"164 - 28
12 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'23"337 - 26
13 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'23"713 - 25
14 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1'23"814 - 17
15 - Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1'24"328 - 23
16 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1'24"345 - 27
17 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1'24"623 - 22
18 - Sergio Perez (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1'24"623 - 22
19 - Vitaly Petrov (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1'24"823 - 28
20 - Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1'25"220 - 28
21 - Timo Glock (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1'27"104 - 27
22 - Pedro de la Rosa (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1'27"106 - 18
23 - Charles Pic (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1'27"185 - 22
24 - Narain Karthikeyan (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1'27"822 - 20

* Un-official results

To offer more service points on their public EV-charging network, the founding members of the Electric Circuit, i.e., Rona, Métro, AMT and Hydro-Québec, recently welcomed a new member, Discount Car and Truck Rentals.

Before the end of this year, the charging network will install new service points in Quebec City, Boucherville, Blainville and Montreal. "As an eco-conscious rental company, launching these five first service points is an important step for us, especially since we've already recently acquired some EV rentals, namely, two Chevrolet Volts," says Discount Vice-President, Robert Lalonde.

The Electric Circuit is planning to install over 120 fully-functioning 240-V service points by this fall. The faster charging 400-V service points will be installed in the future. For more information or to find a service point near you, visit TheElectricCircuit.

As a sedan or as a hatchback, the Mazda3 has been a very popular choice for several years now. For the 2013 model year, this little Japanese winner has come up with some small changes.


Accommodating up to five passengers, there are 3 versions of the sedan, namely the GX, the GS-SKY and the GT. Depending on what version you opt for, you'll get a standard 5-speed (GX) or 6-speed (GS-SKY, GT) manual gearbox, while an automatic transmission is available as an option.

The four-cylinder engines also vary according to the preferred model you want: the GX features a 2.0L producing 148 hp (8.1/5.9 L/100km, city/highway), the GS-SKY comes with the 2.0L, 155-hp SKYACTIV-G (7.7/5.0 L/100km for the sedan, 7.6/5.1 for the Sport), and finally, the GT gets the 2.5L, 167-hp engine (10.2/6.9 L/100km).

The GS-SKY comes with the 2.0L, 155-hp SKYACTIV-G (7.7/5.0 L/100km for the sedan, 7.6/5.1 for the Sport). (Photo: Mazda)

Available in eight colours, the 2013 Mazda3 takes advantage of a wide range of standard equipment, in particular a sound system USB port, new this year and available in all 3 trim levels. Options include alloy wheels, Bluetooth connectivity, a voice command system and cruise control.

The GS-L package, for its part, offers fog lights, leather upholstery and an eight-way adjustable driver's seat. The Touring package pampers you with push-button ignition, a rear spoiler and a 10-speaker BOSE sound system. Finally, the GT version features blind-spot monitoring, satellite radio and push-button ignition, among other goodies. Competition will be strongest for the sedan, which joins battle against the Honda Civic, the new Dodge Dart and the Chevrolet Cruze, to name a few.

For its part, the sporty MAZDASPEED3 won't be outdone, taking full advantage of its 2.3L, 263-hp turbo engine. Combined with the 6-speed manual transmission, it can reach 100 km/h in just 6.1 seconds and hit an electronically-limited maximum speed of 250 km/h. As for fuel consumption ratings, the MAZDASPEED3 will deliver 11.5L/100km in the city and 8.0 on the highway.

This sporty little number also benefits from new standard equipment in 2013. Included are a USB port, 18-inch wheels with gunmetal finish as well as side mirrors and rear lower valance all featuring a black finish. Plus, the Technology Package adds blind-spot monitoring, intelligent unlocking, push-button ignition and satellite radio, among others.

As for fuel consumption ratings, the MAZDASPEED3 will deliver 11.5L/100km in the city and 8.0 on the highway. (Photo: Mazda)

The 2013 Mazdaspeed3 competes against the likes of the Ford Focus ST, Volkswagen Golf GTI and Subaru Impreza WRX. Launch dates have not yet been confirmed by the manufacturer, nor have prices for the various models.

From GMM

Sebastian Vettel insists Ferrari has the best car on the 2012 grid.

In an interview with journalists from O Estado de S.Paulo (Brazil), Corriere della Sera (Italy) and Auto Hebdo (France), the reigning world champion reportedly laughed at Alonso and Ferrari's constant claims that the Spaniard is leading the world championship despite not having the best car.

Referring to last weekend's German grand prix, Vettel said in Hungary on Thursday: "Fernando was the fastest because he had the best equipment. At the moment, Ferrari is the best. So what I need to do is to be the most consistent. They (Ferrari) had a difficult start to the year, but we can see now where they are. They are the most consistent in all conditions: rain, dry, change of grip from the circuit, cold, hot..."

"Ferrari has the best package at the moment; they're fast and reliable. At Hockenheim they kept us and McLaren behind. This is a fact, not my interpretation," the German insisted.

Sebastian Vettel at Hockenheim. (Photo: SebastianVettel.de)

Sebastian Vettel denied that part of Alonso's advantage is that his teammate, Felipe Massa, is entirely subservient, rather than taking points from one another as do the teammates at Red Bull and McLaren.

"It's not good for a racing team to have one driver fighting for wins and the other with significantly lower results," he insisted. "From the outside we cannot understand the reasons that Felipe is not able to show his natural speed, because he is very fast. People forget that if his (Massa's) engine had not broken here (in Hungary) in 2008, he would have won the title. Now he's miles away from the top of championship, even though the car is working well. I don't understand that."

It is on that final point - the driver equality question at Ferrari - that Vettel has some doubt about whether he wants to be with the famous Italian team.

Asked if he would accept being Alonso's teammate at Ferrari, he answered: "I don't know. I hear so much about his contract with Ferrari that it makes me think about it. It depends on the situation. I am not afraid of fighting with Fernando at the same team, because that's good for the team, good for you. It's much better than having a teammate who is slower."

15 year old Matheo Tuscher took his first Formula 2 win at Le Castellet, and moved up to second in provisional championship classification.

Matheo Tuscher. (Photo: Formula Two)

The French-Swiss driver, who will turn 16 on december, set several podium finishes this season, which allowed him to be among the championship contenders. At Le Castellet, he claimed his maiden Formula 2 win in race 1 after he started from pole position for the third time this season. In 2011, Matheo Tuscher was crowned in the new Formula Pilota China (he was only 14), after eight victories out of 14 races.

Matheo Tuscher with his team. (Photo: Formula Two)

In race 2, Markus Pommer started from pole position and also cruised to his first Formula 2 victory, and moved up to fourth in championship classification. Lucian Bacheta still leads the classification, after he secured 2nd and 5th in France.

Race 1:
1 - Matheo Tuscher - 19 laps in 39'11”727

2 - Luciano Bacheta - 1”192

3 - Daniel McKenzie - 1”626
4 - Dino Zamparelli - 2”056
5 - Markus Pommer - 6”329
Etc.

Race 2:
1 - Markus Pommer - 19 laps in 37'08”254
2 - Mattheo Tuscher - 1”222
3 - Christopher Zanella - 2”143
4 - Kevin Mirocha - 6”345
5 - Luciano Bacheta - 7”217
Etc.

Championship:
1. Bacheta 189,5 points ; 2. Tuscher 157 ; 3. Zanella 143 ; 4. Pommer 140 ; 5. Marinescu 135, etc.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Ford engineers are about to put the F-150 on a weight reduction plan: it seems that Ford is considering dressing up the next-generation of its popular pickup truck in aluminum cladding, which would help shed 700 pounds.

This option is being debated in order to reduce fuel consumption to levels that would be more in line with the latest fuel consumption standards. By building a lighter truck, Ford could then squeeze in a smaller and more efficient engine, without sacrificing payload or towing capacity.

However, the biggest challenge would be convincing buyers that an all-aluminum pickup truck would be as tough and durable in its lighter version than the original steel truck.

Source: Auto Guide

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

Yesterday, a team of adventurers driving a Volkswagen Touareg left Melboune, Australia, the southernmost major metropolis in the world, in an attempt to reach St-Petersburg, Russia, the northernmost, in less than three weeks. Like messengers of old, they will be delivering a letter written by the Australian mayor to his Russian counterpart.

The Touareg's ruggedness will be put to the test throughout the journey, facing extreme temperatures, torrential rains, windstorms, and major altitude changes. Equipped with a V6, 3-litre, 225-hp, TDI clean, eco-efficient diesel engine, the Touareg consumes 30% less gas and emits 25% less CO2 than its competitors equipped with gas engines.

A GPS will be tracking the team's position every 30 minutes, and will be posted online at www.touareg-russtralia.com

Photo: Volkswagen