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Drivers of GM vehicles will be able to control car features via smartphone

Drivers of most 2011 General Motors Co. vehicles will be able to use a smartphone to carry out functions usually found on a key fob -- such as remote starting, activating the horn and lights, and remote locking and unlocking of doors. Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC, working through OnStar, are developing brand-specific mobile applications than can be controlled on Apple's iPhone and phones using Google's Android operating system.

College Exhibition: Institut Superieur de Design 2009

Valenciennes in northern France might not be the most glamorous of French towns but it's been quietly turning out transportation design graduates for over 20 years. The Institute Superieur de Design (ISD) isn't as well-known as Strate or Creapole in Paris, nevertheless it has a growing reputation as one of the most focused design schools in Europe with an enviable record of internships and employment of its graduates. Last month CDN was invited to join the final assessments of this year's graduate cohort.

Fourth Chinese Auto Design Competition launched

The fourth Chinese Auto Design Contest officially launched in Beijing last week. Sponsored by China's Society of Automotive Engineers, the China Industrial Design Association, the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission and the Beijing Fengtai District People's Government, the competition is the largest and most authoritative state-level professional event. Held biennially, this year's Chinese Auto Design competition is divided into two categories: Design Innovation (which judges current vehicles created by automakers) and Creative Design.