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Porsche mulls smaller SUV, sports car

Porsche may develop a small SUV and a sports car smaller than the Boxster as it aims to double worldwide sales in the next three years. Bernhard Maier, head of sales and marketing at Porsche AG, confirmed that the company is looking into smaller and less expensive models “but we have taken no decision so far.” The small SUV has been code-named “Cajun”--short for Cayenne Jr. The success of the Cayenne SUV has given Porsche confidence to “investigate if there are other opportunities,” Maier said.

Global Vehicle Architecture opens new fully-equipped 3D Design Studio in Beijing

Global Vehicle Architecture (GVA) – a specialist independent design company encompassing all forms of transportation design – has opened a fully-equipped design studio in Beijing to cater for the growing  demand for design support services. GVA is unique in that it is the first European automotive designer led facility of its kind in China offering complete in-house modeling capabilities. The 2,000 square-meter studio, situated only 10 minutes from the 798 Art district and in close proximity to Beijing's airport, boasts extensive facilities including an 18-meter plate area, and prototype car build capabilities.

Toyota to halt North America vehicle output for 5 days this month

Toyota Motor Corp. will suspend production at its North American assembly plants for five days this month due to earthquake-related parts shortages. All but one of Toyota's assembly plants are scheduled to be idled on April 15, 18, 21, 22 and 25, the automaker said in a statement Friday.