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Mercedes signs joint venture to build carbonfibre parts

Not to be outdone by BMW’s joint venture with the SGL Group to manufacturer commercially viable carbonfibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) for the electric Megacity Vehicle, Mercedes has announced a joint venture with Japanese company Toray Industries to manufacturer and market its on CFRP automotive parts. The deal was signed in Germany today, with Toray taking a 50.1% stake, Daimler holding 44.9% and the remaining 5% being taken by other shareholders. The two companies started working together in March 2010, and while Toray has been working on the materials and moulding processes, Merc has designed the automotive parts and the technologies to join the parts together.

Watch the Corvette Z06 live reveal here

Chevrolet announced it will be video streaming the reveal of its much-anticipated 2015 Corvette Z06 from the Detroit auto show floor, and you can catch the whole event below. The preview starts at 9:30 am on Monday, January 13 and will also include the first official look at the upcoming C7.R Corvette race car. You may recall the spy photos of the Z06 we captured testing earlier this year, and the single teaser image Chevy released of the upcoming hi-po Corvette indicates some of the cosmetic changes.

Daniel Simon creates livery for HRT Formula 1 car

Visual artist and automotive futurist Daniel Simon has created a striking red and white livery for Hispania Racing's new Formula One car. Called the F111, the new racecar has been developed by the outfit's own engineering and design team, which is led by technical director Geoff Willis and chief designer Paul White. Simon's eye-catching work demonstrates the ambition of the team this season.