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Mercedes-Benz slots 4 compacts for U.S.

Mercedes-Benz will launch four compact vehicles in the United States in the next three years with starting prices of $30,000 or below. The vehicles will include a production version of the A-class coupe concept shown last week at the New York auto show. Three variants of Mercedes' new-generation compact family also are headed for the United States.

Salon Privé 2011: Wet & Wonderful

Salon Prive 2011 - wet, but wonderful We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Salon Privé is one of our favourite ways to meet cars. Up there with Villa d’Este and Pebble Beach, it’s as civilised a way as you can imagine to soak up the greatest cars in the world. The greatest cars there are laid out in the sumptuous grounds of Syon Park (new venue; worked well), with food and drink in abundance.

Who's Where: Jason Castriota opens own design consultancy

Former Bertone and Pininfarina designer, Jason Castriota, has opened his own design consultancy based in New York and Turin. CDN recently caught up with Castriota - who is currently in New York - and discovered he's already working on a series of projects, despite having not yet officially launched the company. Castriota told us that it had always been his "dream to have my own consultancy in New York", yet what's clearly pleasing him most is the volume of work he's already accrued, without officially launching the firm.