Azimuth 1000 Digital Compass on 2040-parts.com

Car Designers Blackmailed

A London court has found former design student Guy Lloyd-Parker guilty of blackmailing US car designers. The London College of Fashion graduate had claimed that 95 car design sketches were stolen from him by two college lecturers in 1994, eventually resurfacing as final designs in the form of the Audi TT, BMW Z3, Mazda RX-8 and the Volvo XC90. Lloyd-Parker, having failed to successfully sue the college, began sending menacing letters to California-based Volvo Design Director Geza Loczi, former BMW and Aston Martin designer Henrik Fisker, and ex-Mazda designer Tsutomu Matano demanding £90,000.

Hertz adds sport cars to European line

Looking for something slick to drive the next time you’re in Europe? Hertz is filling out its lineup with some of our favorite cars. The BMW Z4 sDrive 23i, the Lotus Elise and Exige, and the Fiat 500 Rosa will be available at various locations.

General Motors cancels plans for Buick compact crossover

General Motors has canceled plans for a compact crossover for Buick, vice chairman Tom Stephens said Wednesday in a posting on the company's blog. The five-passenger crossover was just announced earlier this month at an event in Northern Michigan. But GM reversed plans after negative feedback about the vehicle said that it didn't fit the premium characteristics associated with the brand.