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Exclusive: Honda to Close European Design Studios

In a surprise announcement, Honda has decided to close design operations in Europe, based in Germany. The decision to shut down both the car design and motorcycle design studios of Honda R&D Europe (HRE-G) in Offenbach, near Frankfurt was taken at the end of September and came as a shock announcement to employees. It represents the latest casualty in cuts for the car design community.

U.S. new car sales surge at fastest pace in nearly 7 years

U.S. sales of cars and light trucks surged 9 percent in November 1.24 million units and rolled off dealership lots at the fastest pace in almost seven years. The industry's annualized sales rate, adjusted for seasonal factors, rose to 16.4 million last month, up from 15.3 million a year earlier and easily topping analysts' forecasts in the 15.8 million range.

Zhong Boguang: China's first generation auto designer

Zhong Boguang is one of the first designers to emerge in a country that has seen its importance augment considerably in recent times. But well before China became the biggest market for motor vehicles in the world, Boguang was obsessed with the pursuit of his car design dreams. During his 34-year career, he was involved in and witnessed the development of the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), served as chief designer for China's first rotary engine cars and MPVs, been the design manager for the technology center in the first domestic automotive joint venture, and was the first person to launch strategic research in domestic automotive design.