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This year's Pilkington Glass Awards winners announced at RCA grad show

Last week's Royal College of Art graduation exhibition (full report coming soon) also played host to the 27th annual Pilkington Vehicle Design Awards, with four students acknowledged by the glass making company. The Best Use of Glazing award was won by Jannis Carius' Bentley project, while Alexander Ibbett picked up prize for Best Design Interpretation with his 'downloadable' car. Meanwhile Alexander Brink and Nick Dunderdale were commended in the design interpretation category.

Daimler-Renault alliance approved, report says

An international alliance between Daimler and Renault has been approved by the companies' boards and is set to be announced on Wednesday, Bloomberg is reporting. The pact would allow the German and French automakers to collaborate on a range of products, including small cars, commercial vehicles and engines. AutoWeek first reported on the alliance last week.

Major restrictions suggested for learner drivers

A NEW report on potential changes to young driver training could cut accident casualties by more than 4,000 a year. The report, from transport research group TRL, recommends teenagers should not be allowed to take their driving test until they are 18, rather than the current threshold of 17. They would have to have a 12-month "learner stage" beginning at 17 with a requirement for at least 100 hours of day-time and 20 hours of night-time supervised practice.