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Daimler and BYD name new brand Denza

Mercedes-Benz sources in Germany have confirmed Chinese media reports suggesting that parent company Daimler and Chinese carmaker BYD's new joint venture brand will be called Denza. Created as a Chinese-market-only brand, Denza is planned to support a range of "affordable" electric-powered vehicles, the first of which is set to be unveiled at the Beijing motor show next month. Based on the underpinnings of the first-generation Mercedes-Benz B-class--a car originally designed to accept batteries within its flat floor structure--the first Denza model was developed in China by a team of engineers from both Daimler and BYD Auto.

Acura ILX concept

The luxury compact sedan is set to launch later this year, representing a move by Acura into the compact premium class for the first time in order to attract younger buyers into Honda's upmarket range. The car features a slimmer version of the Acura shield grille and lamps that are cut into by the bumper surface. In profile, the ILX's silhouette, DLO, and rear door shut line are reminiscent of the Lexus IS, but Acura's rising feature line, which forms a visual muscle over the rear wheel (despite front-wheel drive architecture) adds a level of distinction.

Porsche to add 1,000 employees

To keep pace with its planned model expansion and sales targets, Porsche AG will add more than 1,000 employees by 2015, Automotive News Europe has learned from Volkswagen Group sources. About 500 jobs will be added for production of Porsche's new compact SUV, codenamed the Cajun, which will go on sale in 2013 in Europe and in North America about six months later. Porsche's supervisory board will make a decision on the production location of the Cajun in mid-March.