Dassault Systèmes and Riversimple partner for eCar Design Contest

Dassault Systèmes, in collaboration with Riversimple and the 40 Fires foundation, launched their eCar Design Contest recently, designed to encourage cooperation and the development of ideas on an open source platform. The companies had been in talks for some time regarding a joint project and this competition – a completely holistic, closed-loop approach to the building, sale and use of a car – is the result of their successful collaboration. Christopher Reitz, head designer at Riversimple, says, "The open source platform is a fantastic tool.

CAR 20 Most Wanted of 2014: Maserati Levante

By the CAR editorial team First Official Pictures 13 December 2013 09:00 If Maserati’s plot to sell 50,000 cars annually by 2016 is to succeed, the Trident’s super-SUV needs to fly out of showrooms fast enough to give salesmen whiplash. Ambitious? Yes, but Maserati’s up-sleeve trick is getting the platform from sister brand Jeep and its much-improved Grand Cherokee.

Is Mercedes preparing to buy Ducati?

Remember the AMG-Ducati deal made at the 2010 Los Angeles auto show last month? A partnership of like-minded brands, albeit on two wheels and four. Daimler marketing types reckon that buyers of its AMG go-faster cars could in many instances be equally interested in go-faster motorbikes of the sort Ducati specialise in, and vice versa.