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Show Review: Design LA

Design LA, the automotive design conference that incorporates the Design Challenge competition, has announced its winners, during this year's LA Motor Show. Chuck Pelly, who set up Design LA last year, introduced the event and the judges for the Design Challenge: Tom Matano , Director, Academy of Art University; Imre Molner, Dean, College of Creative Studies; Steward Reed, Chair, Transportation Design, Art Centre College of Design; and Bill Van Amburg, Senior Vice President, Calsart. This year's nine competition entries had a brief to deliver a 100 percent recyclable, five-year lifespan vehicle with 'accoutrements that add fun or function to represent California's unique green lifestyle.' The Acura FCX 2020 Le Mans is a Le Mans-style race car concept notable for its enclosed wheels and motorbike style forward-inclined driving position between the front wheels (which can just be made out in the translucent illustration shown here).

GMC Granite at the Detroit motor show 2010

This is the GMC Granite, a new concept car unveiled by GM at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. Designed to move away from GMC's current range - which is dominated by pick-up trucks and full-size 4x4s - the Granite is much smaller than any GMC currently on sale. Yes, the Granite is just 4097mm long, making it shorter than a Ford Focus or BMW 1-series.

Ford reports record $1.7 billion profit

Ford Motor Co. reported record third-quarter profits on Tuesday, raised its production forecast and said it will speed up steps to cut its debt. Ford's $1.7 billion in net income was up from $997 million a year earlier.