Bennett Cc-3003-s Actuator Upper Hinge W/ Coil & Cable - Starboard ( Green ) on 2040-parts.com

Ford's NA Design Director aims to shorten product lifecycles

Peter Horbury, Ford Motor Company North America Design Director, has told Automotive News he intends to shorten product lifecycles at the ailing company from an average five years to three years starting this decade. "We feel there is no value in minor changes but a huge value in major changes," Horbury told the industry weekly. Ford needs to ensure that buyers continue visiting showrooms as the giant automaker struggles to retain market share.

Concept Car of the Week: Renault Racoon (1992)

As far as wacky concepts go, the Racoon surely has to be up there with the best of them. Designed and engineered like no other car before, the off-road and amphibious capabilities of the Racoon stretched automobile versatility to new levels. With its big eyes and smiley face, it has the same happy expression as its sister, the Twingo.

Hyundai ix-Metro, first hybrid and electric car

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 04 September 2009 00:01 Hyundai is taking aim at Nissan's Qazana with its new ix-Metro concept car at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show. The compact utility vehicle is one of a burgeoning number of small 4x4s in the pipeline – and is set for production within two years. The Hyundai ix-Metro will drop its BL/Rover inspired name and instead adopt the ix-15 or ix-25 moniker when production starts, slotting in neatly under the new, Tucson-replacing ix-35.