GMC Granite concept (w/ Video)

The biggest surprise at the 2010 NAIAS was GMC's Granite concept - a design that expands (or rather contracts) the truck/crossover brand's 'professional grade' philosophy to a compact hatchback aimed at urban hipsters and early adopters. Conceived by Frank Saucedo's Advanced Design team in California and then built at GM's Design Center in Detroit, the Granite combines the basic proportions of the Nissan Cube and Scion xB with a military/industrial feel inspired by the current G-Star and Diesel fashion lines. Watch the videos to the left to see the young international design team present the rationale behind the new concept, and read our opinion of the Granite in our 2010 Detroit Auto Show Highlights.

Porsche to add 1,000 employees

To keep pace with its planned model expansion and sales targets, Porsche AG will add more than 1,000 employees by 2015, Automotive News Europe has learned from Volkswagen Group sources. About 500 jobs will be added for production of Porsche's new compact SUV, codenamed the Cajun, which will go on sale in 2013 in Europe and in North America about six months later. Porsche's supervisory board will make a decision on the production location of the Cajun in mid-March.

Goodwood 2011 FoS and Revival dates announced

Lord March has announced dates for both the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Goodwood Revival. The Festival of Speed will take place from 1-3 July, and the Revival will follow on 16-18 September 2011. The theme is 'racing revolutions – quantum leaps that shaped motor sport’, and some of the celebrated breakthroughs will includes 30 years since four-wheel drive started to dominate rallying, 25 years since turbocharged engines ruled in F1, and two decades since Mazda’s rotary-engined 787B took the chequered flag at Le Mans.