CDN-GM Interactive Design Contest August Update

It's hard to believe that the summer's almost over already, and with it your chance to win one of five paid internships (including housing) at GM's Warren, MI design studio in the CDN-GM Interactive Design Competition 2012. There has been some very high quality work coming in since June and with 19 days left, there's still plenty of time to put together your design for the next Buick Lacrosse, Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Camaro, or GMC Terrain. The competition is open to all full-time college or university students from across the US and Canada, and is a fantastic way to make a name for yourself, improve your skills in the "off-season", and get a head start on your career.  The judges and mentors are participating heavily in the comments, so remember to show as much work as possible, from inspiration and mood boards to thumbnail and ideation sketches, in order to get the best feedback for your final design.

Skoda Fabia

Succeeding the first Fabia that helped revive the Czech brand with 1.5million sales comes its second iteration. Blending the original car with the more recent Roomster, the new Fabia sports two-box packaging with a wrap-around glass graphic. And though the car has grown, it still slips in under 4 meters.

NYC approves Ford Transit Connect for taxi fleet

New York signed off on the Ford Transit Connect to be used for taxi service, paving the way for the nation's largest city to begin switching to the small van in place of the aging Crown Victoria. The move was announced Thursday after a public hearing; New York joins Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago on the list of major cities that have approved the vehicle for taxi service. The Transit Connect (and Taurus sedan) is approved for use now, but a Nissan van will become the exclusive vehicle in 2013.