First Sight: Smart Fortwo and Forfour

"Dress-down Wednesday," remarked a colleague as Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche walked on stage wearing jeans and no tie. While it was a hot day in Berlin, Zetsche's excuse for his informal attire was the occasion – the new Smart is here. Its prospective owners, he explained – young, urban consumers with an active lifestyle, not the typical members of corporate Germany – adhere to a different, if similarly rigid etiquette.

General Motors fires back at Volkswagen

General Motors issued a terse response this week to published comments by Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn, who suggested to the German press that Opel could be sold to a Chinese competitor. Detroit-based GM called Winterkorn's comments “regrettable” and accused him of “fanning speculation.” Opel was nearly sold to Magna and Russian investors in the wake of GM's 2009 bankruptcy. But then-CEO Ed Whitacre and the corporate board reversed that decision, igniting controversy from German political and labor leaders who have long chafed under American oversight.

Seat Tribu concept (2007): first official pictures

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 06 September 2007 05:00 That colour is Seat, but that’s not the swooping Seat design I know That’s exactly what Seat wants you to think. This is the first car designed by Luc Donckerwolke and, like the Salsa concept shown in 2000, it previews Seat’s future design direction. And in case you’re already having doubts, just remember that Mr Donckerwolke is the dab hand behind such automotive delights such as the Lamborghini Murcielago and Gallardo.