Corvette Door Window Motor, Left, 1986late-1996 on 2040-parts.com

Wulin Gaowa on GM’s new Chinese Advanced Design Studio

Following on from our story in September about Wulin Gaowa's appointment to GM Design as Director of its China Advanced Design, the company has released more details about the new studio and an interview with the designer. The company's "future hub for automotive design in Asia" will move into its new home in July 2012. The studio will be located at GM's GMIO and GM China Headquarters in Shanghai.

Shocking stats reveal mobile use while driving

AS MANY as 13% of drivers are still using hand-held mobile phones while at the wheel, according to a survey. And 4% have admitted to regularly sending or reading text messages while driving, the poll by road safety charity Brake and insurance company Direct Line showed. The number of people owning up to using hand-held mobiles at the wheel has fallen from 36% in 2006 to the current figure of 13%.

White House pushes for Friday deal on fuel-economy regulations

The White House wants to announce as early as Friday that it has reached agreement with most automakers on a plan to raise corporate average fuel economy targets to 54.5 mpg by 2025, manufacturers' representatives said Wednesday. While no automakers have signed on to the Obama administration plan yet, most--including Ford, Toyota, General Motors and Chrysler--are generally supportive and intend to do so, the industry officials said. Each manufacturer is trying to iron out technical issues with the White House before endorsing the proposal.