Hertz Lotus Hire in Italy

Hertz are now offering the Lotus Elise SC for hire in Italy Hertz and Lotus have the answer – drive a Lotus Elise to show the Italians they’re not the only ones to make a cracking two seater (and a lot cheaper). Hertz has teamed up with Lotus to offer a fleet of bright yellow Lotus Elise SC at select outlets throughout Italy from the middle of this month. True to say you could probably have hired yourself a Lotus before to trolly round Italy, but with a big car hire company like Hertz in on the plan you can be pretty sure there will be a lot of takers.

Kia Ceed (2012) first official pictures

The first Kia Ceed, launched in 2006, signalled a step change for the Korean car company. Not only was it designed and built in Europe (in Germany and Slovakia respectively) but it was also good enough to be considered a worthy rival for the Focus, Golf, Astra et al. From Soul to Optima, from Picanto to Rio, nearly everything that's followed has been good or great.

AutoWeek Design Forum: Johnson Controls designer styles the future

What is inspiration? Johnson Controls design vice president Michael Warsaw pondered that and other style themes on Thursday morning at the AutoWeek Design Forum in Detroit. "It's about having a vision--it's about having that vision be your guidepost," he said.