On 10-13 July 2008 the BA (Hons) Transportation design course at Northumbria University will be exhibiting the students' final year projects at the New Designers event held in London. The range of works on display will include automotive, marine and product design projects.

Christopher Reitz, currently head of the Fiat Styling Centre, will be the new Head of Alfa Romeo Style. The 40-years old Austrian will succeed Frank Stephenson, Alfa Romeo Design Director since June 2007.

The most extravagant press releases of the 1st of April: the Nintendo wii-controlled Kia concept, the twin-engine powered Smart fortwo, Bmw's Canine Repellent Alloy Protection and the electro reflective finish by Seat.

Gorden Wagener will be the new Head of Design at Mercedes-Benz, starting from mid-2008. Succeding Peter Pfeiffer, Wagener is currently Head of the Strategic Advanced Design department d and Drector of the design studios in California and Japan.

Mercedes-Benz has announced that Design Director Professor Peter Pfeiffer will retire in 2008 at the age of 65 after 40 years of service. Pfeiffer is considered the spiritual father of the new Mercedes design idiom.

An official article released by Opel/Vauxhall about the camouflage techniques used to hide the exterior design of new models under testing - in this case the upcoming Insignia - from unwanted spy shots by prototype hunters.

The new Honda Accord Tourer for Europe has won the 51st international 'red dot' design award in the Transportation category. The ceremony will take place on June 23 in Essen, Germany.

Veloce Publishing Limited has announced the release of 'How to Draw and Paint Cars', a guide that explains the fundamental skills of drawing and painting cars using traditional media. The author is graphic designer and illustrator Tony Gardiner.

Chrysler LLC has announced that it will close its Pacifica Advanced Design Studios in Carlsbad, California. The closing is part of a companywide consolidation and will affect about 20 empoyees.

Renault design director Patrick Le Quement has announced that the Megane range will be renewed by the end of 2009 and will feature a more conventional rear end design and a coupe version based on the concept presented in Geneva.