Wise Seating 56011-40 Boat Seat on 2040-parts.com

Color & trim focus: Six of Poltrona Frau’s auto collaborations

Collaborations between the car industry and the world of product design are fraught with difficulties, are usually fleeting and all too often end in (marketing department) tears. One of the few possible exceptions is Italian leather and furniture company Poltrona Frau. Its 102-year history includes the 904 ‘Vanity Fair' chair from 1930 and the more-recent 2009 Archibald chair by Jean-Marie Massaud.

Detroit auto show 2011: the CAR Live Blog from NAIAS

CAR's review of the 2011 Detroit auto show - By Ben Oliver 3.30pm: Ian Robertson drives onto the stage in a Team USA-liveried Mini CountrymanCountryman sales are 30% above projected orders with 12,000 sold since launch, and the maxi Mini is now on sale in the US too. Marketing chief Robertson says 2010 was the best sales year ever with 234,000 Minis sold worldwide and sales were 8.1% up in the biggest market, the US. Launched 10 years ago at Detroit, Mini now has over 300,000 American owners, or 'fans' as Robertson's Facebook-savvy scriptwriter says.3.11pm: Big waves at HyundaiBP Hyundai's American boss John Krafcik introduces the new Curb concept, a cool Juke-sized crossover, and then the lovely little Hyundai Veloster (below).

Used '80s dream cars, an AW list

Ah, the '80s--the time of big hair, MTV and underpowered cars. The decade wasn't a total loss, though. You could find a few diamonds in the rough.