Avidyne Flight Max Mfd 5rr Part Number D98-00001-40 on 2040-parts.com

Toyota's global design chief Tokuo Fukuichi appointed president of Lexus

Toyota's global design chief Tokuo Fukuichi will be the first designer to sit on the company's board of directors when his appointment comes into effect on 1 April. Fukuichi will retain his position as global head of design for the Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands and will join the board after the general shareholders' meeting. His influence on Toyota's design direction over the last few years has been noticeable, particularly with Lexus, as the company strives to make its traditionally very conservative products a little more exciting.

Driven: Chevrolet Orlando

Chevrolet recently launched the new Orlando crossover in the UK market. The seven passenger vehicle – which eschews a conventional monovolume MPV package in favor of a more bulky, upright one that aims to fill the same need – will be sold in the North American market as well as in Europe. Cloaked in crossover skin, the Orlando is not to be taken lightly.

New Ford Kuga (2012): Kick a Kuga (or an Escape) +video

New Ford Kuga / Escape Hands-Free Tailgate - Kick to Open The new 2012 Ford Kuga will debut later this month at the Los Angeles Motor Show (alright, strictly speaking it’s the 2013 Ford Escape – but they’re the same) so Ford has decided to tease the Kuga with its clever tailgate trick. Yes, the new Kuga has a tailgate that has a party trick – it opens when you kick it. Yes, we’ve all hard cars that need their doors kicking to shut them (the new Kuga will do that too), but opening with a kick is a bit of a first.