2007 China Automotive Design Conference

The 2007 China Automotive Design & Independent Innovation Conference marked the first gathering of independent Chinese (vs. joint venture) automakers getting together to discuss automotive styling. Taking place at the end of August, more than 140 design professionals from First Auto Works (FAW), Dongfeng Motor, Chery, Brilliance, Chana, Guangzhou Auto, Nanjing Automotive Corp.

McLaren employees killed in crash

TWO MCLAREN EMPLOYEES were killed when the sports car they were travelling in crashed near to the Formula 1 giant's technology centre. The staff members, who were in a blue Subaru Impreza, were pronounced dead at the scene following a collision with a Ford Transit van on the A320 in Ottershaw, Surrey, at 12.10pm yesterday. A man in his 60s who was driving the van was taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting with serious injuries, Surrey Police said.

Lotus, Toyota celebrate engine deal

Lotus CEO Dany Bahar presented Toyota president Akio Toyoda with a Lotus Elise this week at the British Embassy in Tokyo, celebrating the companies' long partnership. The Elise was equipped with Toyota's last 2ZZ-GE VVTL-i engine, the same engine found in older versions of the Lotus Elise and Exige. “The presentation of Toyota's last 2ZZ engine in the Elise is a symbolic gesture of our continued respect and deep appreciation for our partner not only acknowledging our past, but also looking forward to our future together,” Bahar said in a statement.