Magnaflow 446626 Direct Fit California Catalytic Converter on 2040-parts.com

New Mercedes A Class: 90,000 orders and counting

Mercedes boss Dieter Zetsche has revealed that Mercedes already has 90,000 orders for the new A-Class just months after its reveal. It’s a credible, good looking and clever car that’s a serious offering in the premium compact market and, if the order book for 70,000 A-Class Mercedes already had by the end of October is anything to go by, it’s going to be a roaring success. That sales figure has now jumped to 90,000 A-Class – according to Mercedes boss, Dieter Zetsche – and stands at double the order book Volkswagen has for the new MK 7 Golf.

Paolo Pininfarina elected Chairman at Pininfarina SpA

Paolo Pininfarina has been unanimously elected to become Chairman of the Board of Directors at Pininfarina S.p.A., one of the roles previously occupied by his late brother Andrea Pininfarina. The Board of Directors agreed to assign authority over the Group's design operations and Pininfarina Extra to Paolo Pininfarina and also elected to hand over the Group's communications to his sister Lorenza Pininfarina, the Provisional Deputy Chairperson. There has been much speculation about the company's future following the untimely death of CEO Andrea Pininfarina in a traffic accident last week.

Exclusive: Honda to Close European Design Studios

In a surprise announcement, Honda has decided to close design operations in Europe, based in Germany. The decision to shut down both the car design and motorcycle design studios of Honda R&D Europe (HRE-G) in Offenbach, near Frankfurt was taken at the end of September and came as a shock announcement to employees. It represents the latest casualty in cuts for the car design community.