2009 Honda Cbr1000rr Frame on 2040-parts.com

CDOTY awards presented at Auto Design Night Geneva

Car Design News, in partnership with Interior Motives magazine, hosted the fourth annual Auto Design Night event at La Sip nightclub in Geneva last night. With more than 300 attendees reading like a who's who in automotive design, designers were able to reconnect with old friends and make new acquaintances in a comfortable and inviting environment.  One of the highlights of the evening's festivities included the presentation of the fourth annual Car Design News Car Design of the Year Awards (CDOTY), recognizing the most publicly acclaimed concept and production car designs of 2008. Car Design News Editor Eric Gallina presented the award to BMW Group Design in the Concept Car category and General Motors Design for the Production Design category.

Mercedes-Benz to drop the R-class in the U.S.

Mercedes-Benz will drop the slow-selling R-class wagon from its U.S. lineup after the 2012 model year. But the German automaker will continue to build the R-class at its plant in Alabama for export to other markets.

Aston Martin US dealers could lose DB9 & Vantage – which could see many shutting up shop

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster (pictured) might not make the US The rules and regulations car makers have to conform to are both enormous and onerous, and different markets have different regulations. And it looks like new side impact regulation could scupper AML’s sales in the US. New side impact rules – due to come in to force in the US in September – means that two of Aston Martin’s big sellers – the DB9 and Vantage V8 and V12 – would have to be withdrawn from sale in the US as they won’t comply.