Toyota Voxy 2008 Heather Blow Motor [8667900] on 2040-parts.com

Michelin Challenge Design 2012 'City 2046: Art, Life and Ingenuity' – The Finalists

The jury of the 2012 Michelin Challenge Design has selected and released images of its 27 finalists, chosen from a huge number of designs submitted by aspiring automotive designers. The competition's theme, ‘City 2046: Art, Life and Ingenuity', saw more than 1,700 registrants representing 88 countries which left the jury reviewing over 200 projects. Michelin set all participants a challenging brief, calling for designs for a "desirable, safe and sustainable personal vehicle" specifically for Los Angeles, Mumbai, Paris, Rio de Janeiro or Shanghai.

Green car of the year finalists chosen

Green Car Journal named its top-five green cars for 2014 on Thursday, tapping the Audi A6 TDI, BMW 328d, Mazda 3 hatchback, Honda Accord and the new Toyota Corolla as its finalists. The winner will be announced at the LA Auto Show. Green Car likes the Audi A6 TDI due to its unexpected performance in a high-efficiency vehicle.

Mazda opens new plant in Salamanca, Mexico

Mazda Motor Corp. chairman Takashi Yamanouchi opened the company's new small-car assembly plant in Mexico today, calling it the company's "most important global strategic base." The factory, which will produce up to 230,000 vehicles each year, is a cornerstone of the structural reform plan "upon which the very future of company hinges," Yamanouchi said in remarks prepared for the opening ceremony. "Mazda's Structural Reform Plan, upon which the very future of the company hinges, positions this plant as our most important global strategic base," Yamanouchi said of the factory, which is about three hours northwest of Mexico City in Guanajuato State.