Taylor Oac Competition Magneto 701000 on 2040-parts.com

Who's Where: Satoshi Wada to open independent design studio

Satoshi Wada, former Senior Designer at Audi AG and Nissan Design Japan, is set to open his own design studio. Called SWdesign TOKYO, his ambitious plan follows on from a growing line of design managers who have left successful OEMs to establish their own design practices. Wada, who resigned from Audi AG in Ingolstadt earlier this month, told CDN he is aiming "to create a new vision with my own independent design studio in Tokyo".

Bentley SUV to enter 2013 Dakar Rally

Bentley SUV in the 2013 Dakar Rally Bentley are planning to enter their new SUV – the EXP 9F Concept – in the Dakar Rally in 2013. Sort of. It’s a tried and tested route for the VW Group to go with SUV’s : Enter them in to a gruelling rally to prove their capabilities and enhance their sale prospects.

Infiniti's Andy Palmer talks world domination

Along with the news of a new Infiniti global flagship sedan, we sat down with Nissan/Infiniti vice president Andy Palmer to discuss the brand's new goals and the challenges it'll face achieving them in a competitive global market. Why is Nissan becoming so ambitious with Infiniti? In today's industry, 12 percent of the volume and 50 percent of the profits comes from the premium group -- defined by 13 nameplates.