2002 Land Rover Freelander Floor Center Console Gray 2444953 on 2040-parts.com

Faurecia opens new Shanghai Technical Center

Faurecia has opened a new technical center in Shanghai, China, which will also serve as its Chinese headquarters. The automotive equipment supplier wants to reinforce its research and development capabilities and engineering localization in the world's largest automotive market. The new 18,000 square meter Faurecia China Tech Center is made up of the Training Center and the Tech Center, which includes an industrial design facility, two showrooms and various prototype workshops alongside five labs for testing, acoustics, airbag, complete seat and quality inspection.

Pontiac Vibe

One week after Toyota introduced its new Matrix at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, Pontiac presented the new redesigned Vibe at the LA Auto Show, a five-door hatchback short wagon that - like the Matrix - is derived from a lengthened and widened Corolla platform. Clear brand differentiation between the two cars is done through the styling of the Vibe's excusive sheet metal and different interior finishes and trim. To better relate the Vibe to the Pontiac Solstice or G8, designers wanted to express more muscle and leave behind last generation's "mini-SUV" look.

Prince Harry burns rubber at Goodwood

EVERYONE’S favourite Royal fun-lover Prince Harry took to the race track at the weekend with a visit to the famous Goodwood Motor Circuit. After being welcomed by keen petrolhead Lord March, owner of Goodwood, the Prince put in some hot laps in a classic Aston Martin DB4, before jumping into a Lamborghini Gallardo for an even faster run as part of his activities for the Royal Foundation Endeavour Fund. He obviously enjoyed himself, because after that he drove more laps in a Jaguar F-Type and an Aston Martin V8 Vantage before getting down to the business end of his charity-centred visit.