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GMC Granite concept (w/ Video)

The biggest surprise at the 2010 NAIAS was GMC's Granite concept - a design that expands (or rather contracts) the truck/crossover brand's 'professional grade' philosophy to a compact hatchback aimed at urban hipsters and early adopters. Conceived by Frank Saucedo's Advanced Design team in California and then built at GM's Design Center in Detroit, the Granite combines the basic proportions of the Nissan Cube and Scion xB with a military/industrial feel inspired by the current G-Star and Diesel fashion lines. Watch the videos to the left to see the young international design team present the rationale behind the new concept, and read our opinion of the Granite in our 2010 Detroit Auto Show Highlights.

Spring 2014 issue of Interior Motives magazine out now

The spring edition of Car Design News’ quarterly interior design publication, Interior Motives magazine, is out now. This issue features in-depth design development articles on the most interesting and important concept and production vehicles from the recent Tokyo, Detroit and Geneva auto shows.  The cover star is Nissan’s IDx concept. Displayed in two different forms – sporty Nismo and laid-back Freeflow – the project was carried out with input from 30 young, fashion-conscious members of ‘Generation Z’ (born post-1990).

GM plants solar field at Chevrolet Volt factory

Looking to put a charge in its eco-friendly image, General Motors is installing a 264,000-square-foot solar field at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant that builds the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid sedan. The solar field, being built in cooperation with utility DTE Energy, will generate 516 kilowatts. GM says that’s enough power to charge up 150 Volts every day for a year.