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Opel Trixx concept for the Geneva Motor Show

Opel/Vauxhall has released first details of the Trixx small car concept to be shown at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Martin Smith, Opel/Vauxhall executive director of design, says: "Trixx shows our vision of an innovative, ultra-compact car in the three-metre-class, with an expressive, exciting design, and meets a variety of mobility requirements with its clever, highly versatile interior concept." Trixx has an inflatable rear seat, sliding electric doors, and a push-button roof hatch that allows it to carry extra-long objects upright. The versatile car can carry up to three adults and a child, and as a one-seater it turns into a substantial load carrier.

Fourth Chinese Auto Design Competition launched

The fourth Chinese Auto Design Contest officially launched in Beijing last week. Sponsored by China's Society of Automotive Engineers, the China Industrial Design Association, the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission and the Beijing Fengtai District People's Government, the competition is the largest and most authoritative state-level professional event. Held biennially, this year's Chinese Auto Design competition is divided into two categories: Design Innovation (which judges current vehicles created by automakers) and Creative Design.

Mercedes-Benz has big plans for small cars

Breaking outside its American position of rear-wheel-drive luxury vehicles, Mercedes-Benz will launch its new front-wheel-drive architecture in the United States in the next three years in the form of a coupe, SUV and possibly a small wagon or compact hatchback. Joachim Schmidt, Mercedes' global sales and marketing boss, said Mercedes is developing at least four models based on its MFA, or Mercedes Front-wheel-drive Architecture. "We will introduce the next generation of our MFA family to the U.S.," Schmidt said in an interview.