Wix 51081 Oil Filter Replacement Each on 2040-parts.com

Four car things to do in SoCal

UPDATED: Here are four things to check out if you live in or might be visiting Southern California soon: 1. Art Center Car Classic '11, Oct. 23: This great gathering of cars and car designers is held (almost) every year on the big lawn to the east of the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena's main building.

Exclusive: Laurens van den Acker to replace Patrick le Quément at Renault

The wheels of change are continuing to turn within the automotive design industry, with yet another new appointment being made at the director level. According to industry insiders, Laurens van den Acker is set become the new Design Director at Renault when Patrick le Quément retires later this year. One of the most pre-eminent car designers in the world, Patrick le Quément began his design career at Simca, worked at Ford for 17 years and did a brief stint at Volkswagen before taking the top design job at Renault.

Next Generation Ford Focus – the Iosis MAX Concept – previews at Geneva

Despite all its problems, Ford is on something of a roll. It already had a great set of products – seriously under-rated in many cases – and the recent additions of the Ford KA, The Ford Fiesta and the Ford Kuga has added even more credibility to its lineup. But Ford isn’t standing still, and has previewed the next generation Ford Focus – the Iosis MAX Concept – at the Geneva Motor Show 2009.