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Watch the sad, final moments of a crusher-bound heap

Automotive wrecking yards are good places to reflect on the real-world values of heavily depreciated vehicles versus global current scrap-metal prices, and to see which cars have suddenly had the fix-it-versus-total-it line moved by insurance companies (the early-21st-century Subaru Legacy Outback, for example, appeared in large numbers in high-turnover wrecking yards just during the last year, as fairly minor collision damage on these cars is no longer worth fixing). You'll see the things that a car's last owner does in a desperate attempt to sell (or at least live with) an increasingly decrepit heap (as we learned in "Repo Man," you really will find a Little Tree in every car). During a recent trip to a San Jose, Calif., yard, I encountered this sad yet strangely compelling scene.

Who's Where: Dagoberto Tribia promoted to Director of Interior Design at GM Brazil Design

Dagoberto Tribia was promoted to Director of Interior Design at GM do Brasil Design on January 1, 2011. Working under the direction of Carlos Barba, Executive Director of Design, GM South America, Tribia has assumed responsibility for all interior programs at General Motors Brazil Design, both local and global. In doing so, he has also become the first Brazilian Design Director at the company.

Renault 4 Ever contest shortlist announced

Renault and Design Boom have announced the ten designs that have been shortlisted in their ‘Renault 4 Ever’ design competition. Over 3,200 projects were submitted by design enthusiasts from 92 different countries after Renault, in collaboration with Design Boom, released a brief calling for designs that re-created the ‘look and style' of the iconic Renault 4, capture the functionality and minimalistic philosophy of the original while respecting its identity and iconic status. The jury also wanted to see innovative design and technology for sustainable mobility.