CCS Ford Model T project

This past semester, eleven junior-level College for Creative Studies (CCS) Transportation Design students were asked to reinterpret an automotive icon: the Ford Model T. Over the course of the 16-week semester the students created 11 different concepts for a Model T for the future without forgetting the underlying principle - creating an icon that would have equal significance and social impact like the 100 year old original.   On April 30 each of the students presented their research, sketches, renderings and one- quarter scale models judged by Peter Horbury, Ford Executive Director of Design, The Americas and Pat Schiavone, Ford's Design Director for North America Trucks and CUVs. The winning concept, which the judges thought best embodied the spirit, innovation and sociological impact equal to that of the original Model T, was created by Dong Tran, of Cicero, New York.

Aston Martin downshifts in India

India is becoming a spotlight market among luxury carmakers, and Aston Martin is the latest to join the fray, throwing open the doors on a new dealership on Friday. Aston enters the market in partnership with Performance Cars, which is a division of Infinity Cars Ltd. and which is expected to offer the British brand local expertise in India.

Toyota drags down new-vehicle quality average; Ford leads Detroit 3 gains

Dragged down by Toyota Motor Corp., the quality of new cars and trucks sold in the United States slipped slightly this year--the first time since 2007, according to a study released Thursday. But Detroit's automakers--helped by Ford Motor Co. and some of the smoothest new-model launches ever--have matched or surpassed Asian and European rivals in initial vehicle quality for the first time, based on the closely watched J.D.