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Cutaways
Former Chrysler designer Herlitz dead at 65Former Chrysler Senior Design Vice President John Herlitz died early Monday morning, March 24. He was 65. Herlitz joined Chrysler Corp. in 1965 as a stylist. [REG] 12:41 pm U.S. ET | March 27 |
Mercedes gets new design chiefGorden Wagener will replace Mercedes-Benz design chief Peter Pfeiffer, who will retire in mid-2008, the company announced. Wagener, 39, is currently in charge of Mercedes design studios in California and Japan and leads strategic advanced design at the carmaker. [REG] March 26 17:23 CET |
Key Chrysler product developer Donoughe quitsBarely two months after being named to a key Chrysler product development post, one of Chrysler's top vehicle engineers has left the company. On Tuesday, Mike Donoughe resigned his position heading Chrysler's top secret Project D, which was developing a new global mid-size car platform to replace the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger. [REG] 12:01 am U.S. ET | March 26 |
Chrysler to close Calif. design studio
Chrysler LLC is closing its Pacifica Advance Product Design Center, the studio near San Diego where several key vehicles -- such as the 300 sedan, Dodge Challenger and Pacifica crossover -- took shape in recent ye [REG] 12:01 am U.S. ET | March 10
Chery designs venture's vehicles
Chery Quantum Auto Co., a new joint venture of Chery Automobile Co. and the Israeli investment company Quantum, will manufacture Chery-designed vehicles and target international markets. Chery owns 55 percent of the venture. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | March 3
Hot-rod builder Boyd Coddington dead at 63Boyd Coddington, the hot-rod innovator whose creations won the coveted Grand National Roadster Show's America's Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) trophy a record seven times, died Wednesday morning after a lengthy hospital stay. He was 63. [REG] 4:08 pm U.S. ET | Feb. 27 |
Push buttons will alter interiorsNissan North America Inc. and Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. have begun introducing push-button starters on some mid-priced vehicles, such as the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry. More introductions are coming in other brands. Now that the technology is spilling into the mainstream, changes to interiors are bound to follow. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | Feb. 25 |
Nissan to bolster IT spending
Nissan Motor Co. wants to cut costs by investing in new information technology. The goal is to streamline design and sales operations to offset rising raw material prices. The centerpiece of the push will be a next-generation computer-aided design platform. [REG] 4:13 pm U.S. ET | Feb. 14
The new look in crossovers: Sleek and wedgy
The car-based crossover is starting to develop a signature design language that is easily seen by looking at the side profile. It's a sloping roof and windows that taper from wide to narrow from the front to the rear. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | Feb. 11
GM seeks global input for future Cadillacs
In yet another attempt to turn Cadillac into a successful global brand, General Motors this year will take a group of designers to China, Russia and other countries to learn what it might take to get BMW and Mercedes-Benz buyers behind the wheel of a Cadillac. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | Jan. 28
Chrysler realigns its product developmentChrysler LLC is realigning its product development organization to build its global engineering presence and expand the use of common parts in different vehicles. Chrysler will boost its engineering presence in several key areas -- specifically, China, India, eastern Europe and Mexico. [REG] 12:28 pm U.S. ET | Jan. 22 |
Chrysler to upgrade interiors of 2 JeepsThe Jeep Compass and Patriot, widely criticized for their interiors, will get new ones this fall, according to Ralph Gilles, Chrysler LLC designer. The interior redesign comes well ahead of what would be the normal schedule, he said at the Detroit auto show. The Dodge Caliber car, built on the same platform as its Jeep siblings, will get a new interior slightly later than the Jeeps, Gilles said. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | Jan. 21 |
GM wants Brazil to influence U.S. design, engineering
Look for General Motors to develop more products for North America in Brazil. This year GM spent $500 million on its Brazilian unit to develop small cars and to expand its product development center there. GM also designated Brazil as its lead center for designing mid-sized trucks. The cars and mid-sized trucks are intended for emerging markets, but that could change soon. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | Dec. 24, 2007
Blown HyundaiHyundai's Genesis coupe will be available with turbo power when it debuts here in the spring of 2009. The turbocharged engine will be the first offered by Hyundai in the United States, but it won't be the last. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | Dec. 17, 2007 |
'09 Mazda3 will signal Mazda's styling futureMazda is embarking on a new, bolder styling direction that will come to market next year in the face-lifted Mazda3 sedan. The overhaul will create a stronger "front face," a more unified design language and more eye-catching proportions across the lineup, said Laurens van den Acker, Mazda's design chief. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | Dec. 10, 2007 |
'Provocative' Mazda changes design
Mazda's new, bolder styling direction will debut next year with the face-lifted Mazda3 sedan. Although he was unwilling to provide much detail on the changes to the lower-medium car, Mazda's design chief Laurens van den Acker said the overall styling overhaul creates a stronger “front face,” more unified design language and more eye-catching proportions across the lineup. [SUB] Dec. 10, 2007 06:01 CET
Fiat Croma's in-the-family eyesIf you thought Fiat's face-lifted Croma large car had a strong resemblance to its lower-medium Bravo, then bravo to you. Those are not similar headlamps on the two cars. They are identical. [SUB] Dec. 10, 2007 06:01 CET |
Lutz: GM wants global Cadillac look
The mission for Cadillac's first global head of styling is simple: Create a bold American design that draws inspiration from the current theme and make that design consistent across all models. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | Dec. 3, 2007
Guangzhou will unveil Torino Design conceptTURIN -- China's Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) will unveil a hybrid concept car created by Italy's Torino Design at the Guangzhou auto show today. Called the A-HEV, for automobile hybrid electric vehicle, this concept car packs hybrid and drive-by-wire components developed by GAC, which is the Chinese joint-venture partner for Honda and Toyota operations in Guangzhou. [REG] Nov. 19, 2007 11:20 CET | UPDATED: 11/20/07 09:57 CET |
