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Designer insights: highlights of Auto Design Prague 2014

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, might not seem the most obvious choice for an automotive design conference. But when one considers the country's history of innovation in the arts and architecture, its long-lived automotive marques like Tatra and Skoda, and Prague's central location in Europe, it makes perfect sense. Conference speakers included the program design director for Citroën DS, Ivo Groen; Volvo vice president of design Thomas Ingenlath; Jaguar advanced design director, Julian Thomson; Gert Hildebrand, head of design for Qoros; and Johann Lemercier, program manager at Ferrari design.

Ford to open Silicon Valley lab

Ford Motor Co., aiming to keep ahead of technology trends, will establish a research lab in the heart of California's Silicon Valley. The automaker said Friday the lab will open near Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif., in the first few months of this year. Ford wants the lab to take on a start-up feel and expand beyond the traditional automaker mindset to encourage innovation and improve mobility and safety.

Pruett marks Indy 500's anniversary with a limited-edition wine

Race-car driver Scott Pruett is also a winemaker, and his vineyard is releasing a limited-edition Napa Cabernet to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500. Pruett and his wife, Judy, opened their vineyard in 2006 in Auburn, Calif., on the eastern slope of the northern Sierra Mountains. They create small-lot, hand-crafted premium wines.