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Global GM chassis starts testing

By Phil McNamara Motor Industry 10 August 2006 09:26 General Motors' new Epsilon II chassis – to be employed around the world by Vauxhall/Opel, Saab, Chevrolet and other brands – has hit the road for testing. Pictured here beneath the next Chevrolet Malibu, the modular front- and all-wheel drive architecture will also underpin the Vauxhall Vectra and Saab's new 9-3 and 9-5. GM is grouping its core models to save cash, and harmonising production processes so that plants can churn out multiple models according to demand.

Audi showcases bright future

AUDI IS to showcase new front lighting technology that uses super-powerful laser diodes just a few thousandths of a millimetre in diameter. But at the same time, the tiny diodes are claimed to be able to light the road ahead for an incredible 500 metres. That gives the technology about double the reach of today’s best LED headlights, with around three times as much overall light output.

Designed in Italy, Engineered in China

"The soul of our designing is in Italy," said Silvio Petro Angori, CEO of Italian design house Pininfarina S.p.A. "We will do all styling in Italy – we will not do that in China." But in order to cater to the growing number of contracts from Chinese automakers, Pininfarina will soon begin engineering and product development in China with a center in Shanghai's suburb of Anting. Pininfarina has been working with Chinese automakers since 1996.