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Private Toyota Friend social network lets owners talk to their cars and each other

Toyota is launching a social-networking service that will enable owners to engage in verbal dialogue with their Toyota cars. They can share the exchanges in the network and broadcast them via Facebook and Twitter. According to the Associated Press, Toyota is teaming up with U.S.

Chris Bangle begins work with Changan Automobile on its design strategy and methodology

Chris Bangle is to consult with Changan Automobile to help develop its design strategy and processes in his first official automotive project since leaving BMW in 2009. Bangle – through his company Chris Bangle Associates (CBA) – will work with Changan's team in its European design center in Turin, Italy, reporting to design director Chen Zheng. And while his role will be linked to the brand's Chinese products, his focus will be on the design team's methodologies and philosophy; its management and its process of critique, rather than the hands-on design of its products.

Cross-country in a Corvette Stingray: Day One

Chevrolet brought a small fleet of 2014 Corvette Stingrays to Pebble Beach last week. Somehow, we were able to talk them into letting us drive one from Monterey back to Michigan. By the end of the trip, Autoweek will probably have logged more miles in the Stingray than anyone outside General Motors.