VW Golf GTE: the GTI goes hybrid for Geneva Motor Show 2014

Volkswagen is pitching its brand new plug-in hybrid Golf as a hot hatch. Called the Golf GTE, it will sit in the range alongside the latest petrol-powered GTI and diesel-powered GTD models. Expect a nostalgic tear or two in eyes of older performance Vauxhall fans.

Global Automotive Forum hosts designer roundtable meeting in Chengdu, China

The second Global Automotive Forum took place last week in the Jiaozhi international conference center in Chengdu, one of the most important economic and transportation centers in Western China. The two-day event was based around the theme of 'Crossing from Producing to Innovation Country' and was attended by more than 80 people from the global automotive industry. While most of the sessions revolved around the greater automotive industry in China, Car Design News was asked to organize a session of the forum centered on design, which included a 'roundtable meeting' for designers.

Older Ford Escapes recalled for sticking throttle

Ford Motor Co. is recalling about 485,000 units of the Escape SUV from the 2001-04 model years to check for a damaged cruise-control cable that could cause the throttle to stick open. The recall covers the Escape in North America and the SUV in Europe, where it was sold with the Maverick nameplate.