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Buick Excelle and Invicta at Beijing

By Guy Bird Motor Shows 21 April 2008 16:02 Why would such a quintessentially American brand like Buick unveil its cars in China first? Simple economics: China overtook the USA as Buick’s number one market over a year ago, allegedly on the back of the reputation of the old emperor of China having a preference for the brand. Buick (and parent brand GM) couldn’t be happier as the Buick Excelle has become a top ten seller over here. Buick’s double launchGiven this Chinese love it makes perfect sense for GM to launch not one but two cars at the 2008 Beijing motor show.

Mazda 3 saloon (2009): first photos

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 09 October 2008 12:20 Mazda is replacing its 3 family of hatchbacks and saloons and we'll see this US-market sedan at next month's Los Angeles motor show. It's a four-door for the notchback-obsessed Americans, but we'll see the five-door Euro-style Mazda 3 hatch a few weeks later at the 2008 Bologna motor show. The new Mazda 3 is believed to be based on the engineering skeleton of a Ford Focus, so expect a front-wheel drive layout and a wide spread of diesel and petrol engines.

McLaren F1 designer signs on with Florida start-up

A small Florida company with hopes of making green performance cars has landed a big name. Rivian Automotive said this week that it has signed on Peter Stevens--the designer of the McLaren F1--as its director of design. It hopes to bring its first car to market in 2013 and launch more in 2014.