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Ford Escort returns – for China: Shanghai Motor Show

The Ford Escort Concept has been built by Ford with the aim of taking a sizeable chunk of China’s compact saloon market – estimated at 5.5 million sales a year – and looks remarkably production viable and far from ‘budget’. Escort is a badge China knows – there are plenty of old Escorts floating around Chinese roads – so it’s a sensible move by Ford to revive a badge that already resonates as a compact, affordable saloon with Chinese car buyers. This new Escort gets a proper version of Ford’s latest design language – including the Aston Martin grill – and has good lines and strong detail including jeweled headlights with the lucky Chinese ’8′ discernible ; it looks entirely cohesive and nothing like a Focus with a boot grafted on.

Future products: Geely must retool Volvo plans

Ford Motor Co.'s sale of Volvo to Geely in August leaves doubt about the Swedish company's product plans. For example, all of Volvo's current range except the 9-year-old XC90 crossover makes use of Ford vehicles and components. The XC90 is based on Volvo's P2 platform and was developed before Ford ownership.

Nissan opens new North American design studio

Nissan Design America Inc. has opened a new design studio in Farmington Hills, Michigan, on the grounds of Nissan Technical Center North America. The $14 million investment represents an expansion of Nissan's design capabilities in Farmington Hills as well as a shift in design capabilities.