05-09 Mercedes W203 W209 Clk350 Clk500 C280 C320 A/c Ac Compressor 0012305611 on 2040-parts.com

Interior Motives Design Awards 2008

The second press day of the Paris motor show once again coincided with the annual Interior Motives Design Awards, a competition open to student designers around the world and now in its sixth year. A jury made up of high-ranking design professionals, including the likes of VW's Flavio Manzoni and Faurecia's Andreas Wlasak, selected winners in the following 11 categories: Best Use of Ambient Lighting Best Innovation Best Production Interior Best Use of Technology Best Lifestyle Interior Best Safety Innovation Best Personalisation Best Eco Design Best Conceptual Interior Best Conceptual Exterior Best Xperience The title of 2008 Student Designer of the Year - and the grand prize of $5000 - went to the Royal College of Art's Pierre Sabas. His four-seater Free Form coupe concept took an inside-out approach to design, consisting of articulated, interlocking seat elements designed to eliminate the need for bulky, constrictive exterior crumple zones, and a sliding dashboard for adaptable ergonomics.

U-Haul adds green rides to car-share program

U-Haul has made moving simpler for many Americans, and its car-sharing program is cutting rates and adding more environmentally friendly rides in an effort to win over consumers. Called U Car Share, the program is adding the Toyota Prius, the Ford Focus, the Toyota Yaris, the Mini Cooper and the Ford Escape hybrid to its fleet. The registration fee is being slashed from $50 to $25, and members of other car-sharing organizations can have the member fee waived.

SEMA adds four to hall of fame

The Specialty Equipment Market Association is adding four names to its hall of fame: Gray Baskerville, Art Chrisman, Chris Economaki and John Towle. The SEMA Hall of Fame recognizes those who have especially helped foster the growth of the special-equipment automotive industry. -- Baskerville was senior editor of Hot Rod magazine for 30 years, though his writing is what really secured his ticket to the hall.