Bombardier Sea Doo Ski Doo Alignment Plate on 2040-parts.com

Hot Wheels and Icon in sandbox battle

As first reported by Jeff Glucker of Hooniverse, the toymaker Mattel has been accused of infringing on a trademark held by the low-volume vehicle builder Icon 4X4. Icon claims that a Hot Wheels toy being distributed worldwide is based on its Icon FJ40—which itself is based on the Toyota FJ40—and that Hot Wheels' use of Icon's design, promotional materials and the name “FJ40” violates trademarks held by Icon. In its response to Tuesday's Hooniverse post, Hot Wheels claimed that the toy is not based on the Icon FJ40, and that it has the right to use the term “FJ40” despite Icon's trademark.

GM taps Opel designs for future Buicks in the U.S.

Even as General Motors explores the sale of Opel, it will tap its European unit as a source for future Buick sedans. For the past two years, GM has shared Opel vehicles and design with Saturn. Sources familiar with GM's plans say those products now will go to Buick.

Webinars: RTT Realtime Design & Engineering Reviews

Car Design News hosted Realtime Design & Engineering Reviews Using High-End 3D Visualizations with RTT on April 6, 2011. This particular webinar explored how Virtual Reality is becoming increasingly important in the product development process. Thanks to new visualization and simulation, technologies are minimizing dependence on physical prototypes, which in turn create massive cost and time savings.