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Motorists still not switched on to electric cars

Renault A new survey of 3,000 British motorists suggests there is still a long way to go before electric cars become a serious purchasing choice for the majority, with many saying the government isn’t doing enough to promote them. According to the latest Auto Trader Owner’s Guide, only 1% of UK drivers own what it calls an Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV). The poll also illustrates some significant age and gender divides, and shows that price continues to be a serious hindrance to more environmentally friendly motoring.

Volkswagen's de'Silva aims for positive influence on Porsche styling

Volkswagen Group design director Walter de'Silva hopes to add "something positive" to the design of Porsche's new models, beginning with the Cajun SUV. Porsche AG is set to become Volkswagen AG's 10th brand and Porsche design director Michael Mauer now reports to de'Silva, along with the heads of the styling centers of the other VW group brands such as Skoda, Seat, Bentley and Lamborghini. De'Silva said he has just started working with Mauer and their relationship is off to a good start.

CDN-Opel/Vauxhall Interactive Design Competition Enters Exterior Phase

Car Design News is pleased to announce the finalists of the interiors phase of the Car Design News-Opel/Vauxhall Interactive Design Competition. Pierin Giacomo of the Istituto Europeo Di Design in Turin, Italy, Victor Uribe, also of IED Turin, and Chiayuan Lu of Coventry University in the UK have been named as the top three entrants in the first phase of the competition. They topped the entries received from students at 36 design schools across 18 different countries in Europe.