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Bentley uses 3D printing to prototype new designs [w/Video]

3D printing is changing the way the world makes things by helping people of all disciplines to enhance and refine their ideas cheaply, quickly and effectively.  Bentley is the latest carmaker to utilize the technology to fabricate and prototype different parts to see how they'll look and work on the finished design. Using 3D printers, designers can produce parts from the exterior and interior such as the grille, tires, headlamps and door handles as well as combine different types of contrasting materials, ranging from hard plastics to rubbers of different tensile strengths.  The technology allows the user to create a solid 3D object straight from a digital model by printing layers of material on top of each other. This process rapidly decreases the delivery time, as parts can be printed overnight, and allows designers to be more creative in their ideas because of the reduced cost. Bentley isn't the first carmaker to use 3D printing technology. Audi announced last year it was beginning to prototype vehicle parts using 3D printers.

Volkswagen considers bringing an electric vehicle to the United States

A larger version of the tiny Volkswagen E-Up! electric-vehicle concept, unveiled here at the Frankfurt auto show, likely will be sold in the United States. "The reason we are working on an electric vehicle is the American market," said Ulrich Hackenberg, board member in charge of product development at Volkswagen AG.

BMW recalls 30,000 X5s to fix brake problem

BMW said Friday it is recalling more than 30,000 eight-cylinder X5 SUVs built between 2007 and 2010 due to a potential power assist braking malfunction. In a statement to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, BMW noted that a small amount of lubricating oil could leak into the vacuum hose that connects the vacuum pump and the brake booster. This leak could cause power-assist braking to malfunction.