Doug Nash Overdrive on 2040-parts.com

A look at Chevrolet future products

Based on Chevrolet's vehicle launches over the past few years, a casual observer might not know that General Motors' bow-tie brand still makes trucks. Well-received entries such as the Cruze compact and Sonic subcompact have helped transcend Chevy's image as a trucks-and-sports-cars brand. In coming months, the transformation of Chevy's car lineup will continue with the launches of the Spark minicar, two new engines in the redesigned Malibu and the long-awaited next-generation Impala, due early next year.

CES 2011 opens in Las Vegas

The pace of development in the world of consumer electronics – particularly touchscreens, smartphones and tablet devices – is increasingly influential on the world of automotive design. So with the world's biggest electronics trade show, the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), opening today in Las Vegas, we thought it high time for Car Design News to attend.  The 2011 show has a strong automotive flavor, more so than in any previous year. CES was the event at which Ford chose to launch its industry leading in-car connectivity feature, Sync, in 2008 and, for the third year running, Ford CEO Alan Mulally will deliver a keynote address, during which he is expected to unveil Ford's Nissan Leaf-rivaling, electric-powered Focus.

Aptera hits a speed bump

While the streamlined, electric two-seat Aptera 2e may be one of the most efficient cars ever designed, the process of getting it to market is becoming a little less efficient. Original plans had the 2e going on sale this year, but the company said on Wednesday that the car will be available to consumers starting in 2010. No specific date was set.