Chev Impala on 2040-parts.com

Michelin Challenge Design 2009 preview

The Michelin Challenge Design exhibit at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) will feature 11 scale models and 24 two-dimensional drawings  selected by a jury of top automotive designers. In the weeks leading up to NAIAS, Michelin Challenge Design will be profiling some of the selected participants and their work. One such participant is Zsolt Tarnok, whose 'Concept SsS' represents a new icon for America, combining design cues and traditions from the past with ultra-modern technology.

Concept Car of the Week: Citroën C-Airdream

In the 1990s and early 2000s one of the most charismatic, brave and forward-thinking car makers, Citroën, had been reduced to the maker of budget, mainstream Euro boxes such as the Saxo and Xsara. The company hinted at its intentions to break free from its mundane existence as the maker of line-of-least-resistance rental cars with its Lignage concept in 1999 that harked back to its past large sedans, especially the CX. But it was at the 2002 Paris motor show that Citroën put a stake in the ground with its fabulously avantgarde Citroën C-Airdream concept.

Mercedes Vito London Taxi comes out fighting

Mercedes has come out fighting against the Nissan NV200 London Taxi with an assertion of the benefits of the Mercedes Vito Taxi. Yesterday we had the news that Nissan, not content with just undermining the Crown Victoria as the NYC Yellow Cab, have turned their attention  to the London Taxi with their NV200 take on the Black Cab. So far, LTI hasn’t responded to the imminent threat to their business from Nissan (but then they still haven’t really reacted to Mercedes entry in to the market), but Mercedes has, coming out fighting this morning with a press release extolling the virtues of the Vito Taxi.