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Mercedes S Class production cut as sales fall

Mercedes is cutting production of the range topping S Class to a one shift operation as sales fall ahead of the new 2013 S Class. But there are now plenty of signs that even premium car makers are not immune from the economic climate – particularly in Europe – as sales start to slide. We recently commented that Jaguar sales are not as strong as they were and now it seems Mercedes is starting to feel the punch as sales of the range-topping S Class falter.

Toyota to end Australian manufacturing in 2017

When Holden announced that it would no longer build cars in Australia after 2017, that country’s flagging automotive industry was effectively put on notice -- Mitsubishi had stopped building cars there in 2008, and Ford says its two plants there will close in October 2016. Now Toyota has announced that it has no option but to end vehicle Australian vehicle production. Like Holden, it will close its factories there in 2017.

L'argus European Design Competition 2004 announced

French magazine L'argus de l'automobile has launched its 3rd European Design Competition , with the theme: "Imagine the convertible utility vehicle" The competition has been run since 2002, asking students at European design schools to design original utility vehicles. The 2003 competition recieved more than 350 submissions from students of Europe's best schools of art and design. This year there are two major new features: extension of the competition to design students in the new European Union countries, and greater freedom for entrants, with a theme allowing more room for creativity.