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LA Design Challenge 2010 announced

This year will see the seventh running of the annual LA Auto Show Design Challenge when the industry circus hits the US west coast in November. All participating studios have been tasked to envision a 1000lb (454kg) 2+2 vehicle that is both comfortable and secure while delivering satisfactory driving performance without sacrificing the emotional connection and beautiful styling today's consumers demand. For the first time, design studios from outside the US – from both Germany and Japan – will compete for the prize.

Hands-free car phones 'should be banned'

THE USE hands-free mobile phones while driving should be banned. This is the view of road safety charity Brake that says four in ten drivers (38%) admit to using hands-free phones in the car despite research that shows talking on a hands-free system is just as dangerous as using a hand-held mobile phone. Drivers who use a mobile phone while driving are four times more likely to be involved in a collision that causes serious or fatal injuries.

Audi Q3 coming in 2011

Audi will build the new Audi Q3 at a SEAT plant in Spain starting in 2011 Despite the late arrival on the scene of the Audi Q7, the 4×4 behemoth from Audi has certainly made its mark. Followed recently by the Q5, it has carved a niche for Audi that is standing up remarkably well in the current climate. But Audi are intent on capitalising on their 4×4 success story, and have today revealed that the next instalment – The Audi Q3 - will start production in 2011 at a SEAT plant in Martorell in Spain.