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CES 2011 opens in Las Vegas

The pace of development in the world of consumer electronics – particularly touchscreens, smartphones and tablet devices – is increasingly influential on the world of automotive design. So with the world's biggest electronics trade show, the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), opening today in Las Vegas, we thought it high time for Car Design News to attend.  The 2011 show has a strong automotive flavor, more so than in any previous year. CES was the event at which Ford chose to launch its industry leading in-car connectivity feature, Sync, in 2008 and, for the third year running, Ford CEO Alan Mulally will deliver a keynote address, during which he is expected to unveil Ford's Nissan Leaf-rivaling, electric-powered Focus.

Hyundai ix20 revealed

The Hyundai ix20 will debut at Paris As is often the case, ‘revealed’ is perhaps too strong a word for what we have on Hyndai’s latest offering – the Hyundai ix20. One up from a tease and not quite a reveal, Hyundai has sent us a sketch of the ix20 which will debut at the Paris Motor Show in a  few weeks time. Just like a bus, you get nothing new in the oxymoron car sector (mini MPV) for ages and then two crop up at once.

Ford to adjust voice, touch-screen system

Ford Motor Co. will improve MyFord Touch, which uses voice and touch-screen controls, but won't remove it despite recent criticism that it distracts drivers, CEO Alan Mulally said last week. With the technology, also offered on Lincoln vehicles as MyLincoln Touch, drivers use a touch screen on the center console to control such things as temperature, music and cell phones.