Parallax Power 6730d on 2040-parts.com

UK new car registrations: 20 months of growth

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has once again increased its new car forecast for 2013. The news comes off the back of the 20th consecutive month of growth, with new car registrations up 4% in October. Last month’s total of 157,314 registrations brings the total to 1,952,238 in 2013 so far, leading the SMMT to up its forecast from 2.22 million to 2.25 million.

Ken Block thrills Gymkhana fans in Austria

Ford action-motorsports star Ken Block says he was thrilled after more than 25,000 fans attended the first stop of his Gymkhana World Tour in Vienna, Austria, on July 17. The American Internet sensation--his Gymkhana series represents some of the most-viewed videos on YouTube--is combining his World Rally Championship campaign with his three-event tour, which will also make stops in Los Angeles and in Melbourne, Australia. "Ever since we filmed the first Gymkhana video, I have wanted to be able to bring this type of action to a place where people can watch it live, and Gymkhana World Tour does exactly that," Block said.

Briefs all in for Car Design Awards China 2014

It's exactly a month since the fifth annual Car Design Awards China's launch and we're pleased to announce all the briefs are in. Created to discover the latest crop of Chinese design talent, this year's contest – open to full-time students studying a design discipline of any kind in China – features briefs from Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Geely, JAC, Qoros and UD Trucks. Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz has asked participants to study the average Chinese family, their lifestyle and habits and design the most suitable Mercedes-Benz car concept imaginable for them in the future.