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Volkswagen hits back, weighs making a bid for Porsche

Volkswagen is considering an audacious reverse-takeover bid for its majority shareholder, Porsche, in a twist in the drawn-out struggle for control between the two German carmakers. The Volkswagen Group's supervisory board is said to be weighing the possibility of purchasing Porsche AG, in a move that would relieve its holding company, Porsche SE, of massive debt that industry analysts suggest the company may not be able to fund should the world's financial crisis drag on well into 2010--a scenario put forward this week by the International Monetary Fund. The secret plan emerged as shareholders were set to convene at Volkswagen's annual meeting on Thursday, and it comes after Porsche revealed that it is carrying some 9 billion euros ($11.73 billion) in debt, most of it owing to interest on loans taken out to purchase its 50.8 percent stake in VW.

Designer Interviews: Nelly Ben Hayoun, experience designer

This article was first published on WGSN-homebuildlife, the online trend forecasting and product design tool provides analysis, research and global creative intelligence for the fashion and apparel industry. Shortcuts Originally trained in Textile Design at ENSAAMA, Nelly Ben Hayoun graduated with an MA in Design Interactions from the RCA in 2009 She is now a lecturer for Central Saint Martins' Textile Futures MA course, and participates in conferences and events all over the world as well as regularly running workshops Ben Hayoun is currently touring her International Space Orchestra film, which will be presented at Design Indaba and is also on show at Z33's latest exhibition Space Odyssey 2.0 Read WGSN's new experience design report, Dematerialised, for more on where this trend is heading for consumers Nelly Ben Hayoun specializes in designing large-scale and transformative experiences, often with a connection to space science. Her projects to date have included research proposals for future meats, forming an orchestra of scientists and futurists to perform an opera inspired by ground control, inventing a chair that simulates a rocket launch, and creating the experience of being inside a massive sonic boom.

Renault previews new electric vehicle concept

Renault will unveil its latest concept car tomorrow at its plant in Valladolid, Spain. The carmaker says the concept, previewed in one image, will "provide a bridge between the world of Formula 1 and that of electric vehicles". Very few details are available, but look out for further news as the concept is revealed.