Nissan Cube 2009 Front Right Strut [0650110] on 2040-parts.com

Design Services: Car Menu launched

Within almost every automotive design department throughout the world, their comes a time when a junior designer is dispatched to find a picture of some new model's tail lamp, the side view of a particular class leading competitor or examples of several new cars' colour and trim packages. Whilst looking at the competition is not necessarily a healthy way of finding ideas, it is often essential to demonstrate what is feasible, check in-house proposals are not too derivative, or show how advanced a design theme is relative to the same type of cars on the market. But even if the particular aspect of a car can be found, press packs and magazines typically show cars in the flattering light of an exotic location or being drifted around a corner on opposite lock; rarely are these images particularly useful.

2007 Interior Motives Design Awards

Now in its fifth year, the annual design awards ceremony hosted by Interior Motives magazine was held on the second press day of the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. The awards are open to design students from around the world and are judged by senior designers from the world's leading carmakers and suppliers. The competition encourages students to submit their work in any of nine different categories, with the emphasis on interior design.

L.A. auto show: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze dials in 40 mpg

A key piece of the future of General Motors will be on display next week in Los Angeles. Yes, the Chevrolet Volt will be there. But so too will the 2011 Cruze, the new compact car in Chevy's lineup due towards the end of next year that promises up to 40 mpg on the highway.