Who's Where: Larry Erickson named Chair of Transportation Design at CCS

The College of Creative Studies (CCS) has named Larry Erickson as the Paul and Helen Farago Chair of Transportation. As chair, Erickson will lead the College's Transportation Design department, a role previously occupied by Bryon Fitzpatrick who retired in the summer of 2007. Mark West has led the department for the last academic year as the interim Chair of Transportation Design.

Tesla Model S first EV to earn high praise from Consumer Reports

Tesla Motors Inc.'s all-electric Model S sports car received the highest score in Consumer Reports' ratings -- a 99 out of 100 -- along with widespread plaudits from the magazine's automotive testing staff. The magazine said the $89,650 EV it tested "performed better, or just as well overall, as any other vehicle -- of any kind -- ever tested by Consumer Reports." The last vehicle to achieve a score of 99 in the magazine's testing was the Lexus LS 460L, which was tested in 2007. The Model S, which went on sale in 2012, also marks the first time any electric vehicle has earned a score that high, the magazine said Thursday.

Hackers compromise Prius, seize control of wheel, brakes and more

As an enthusiast, you're probably already worried about an autonomous car ripping the joy -- and the steering wheel -- from your hands. Now, according to Andy Greenberg at Forbes, you also have to worry about hackers ripping the steering wheel out of your car's hands (boy, do we feel strange writing that). That's because a car's computerized systems are as prone to hacking as your malware-laden desktop.