Stoptech (128.63063r) Brake Rotor on 2040-parts.com

New techniques cut cost of carbon fiber

Carbon fiber, once so costly that it was the preferred material only for fighter planes and supercars, is catching the attention of weight-conscious automakers. Carbon fiber's cost is falling dramatically, thanks to production advances that let suppliers speed the material's finicky, and costly, curing process. One technological breakthrough that makes carbon-fiber auto parts more affordable may come from a process used to make carbon-fiber golf clubs.

Who’s Where: Peter Horbury appointed Senior Vice President Design at Geely Group

Peter Horbury, presently Vice President of Design at Volvo Car Corporation, is set to join a growing roster of design directors who have relocated to China – the most recent being Gert Hildebrandt who was appointed Design Director at Chery Quantum Auto Co. (a joint venture between Chery Automobile, China's largest independent car manufacturer, and Israel Corp.) earlier this year. Horbury, who will be taking up a new position as Senior Vice President of Design at Geely Group, will be based in Sanya, in the Hainan Province of China.

Iconic VW camper reaches the end of the road

VOLKSWAGEN has finally ended production of its iconic Kombi, which has provided the base for countless campervans. The last VW Kombi rolled off the production line in Brazil on 20 December, which brought to a close the longest continuous running production life of any vehicle ever in the world. After 63 years in production, more than 3.5 million Kombis have been built in Germany and Brazil.