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Contest: Mazda Design Challenge

The 'Mazda Design Challenge', launched September 27 exclusively through the social networking website Facebook, is enlisting help from Facebook users in the United States to compete to design a future Mazda 3. The winner of the contest will work with Franz von Holzhausen, director of Mazda Design in North America, and his team, to bring the concept to life, live on stage at the 2007 Los Angeles International Auto Show in November. Contestants submitted a 150-word description of their vision of the 2018 Mazda 3 including an optional sketch.

VW, Audi cars recalled to fix fuel-injection system defect

Volkswagen AG is recalling 168,275 VW and Audi models with diesel engines because of a defect in the fuel injection system that could cause fuel leaks, possibly creating fire hazards. The recall affects certain 2009-12 Jetta mid-sized sedans and wagons, and some 2010-12 Golf compacts, federal regulators said Thursday. Some 2010-2012 Audi A3 models also are affected, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its Web site.

Porsche 918 Spyder crashes in Germany

Porsche is in hot water with German authorities following an accident involving a prototype version of the gasoline-electric hybrid-powered 918 Spyder on a public road last month, according to reports in the German media. The accident, which took place between the towns of Bietigheim-Bissingen and Ludwigsburg (close to Porsche's research-and-development center), saw the 875-hp 918 Spyder spin out of control and collide with a guard rail. Parts of the new $845,000 Porsche flagship are said to have broken loose in the collision before being collected by an oncoming car.