Victoria Beckham doesn't just design form-fitting frocks — she also helped Land Rover as a guest creative designer on the Range Rover Evoque, which will officially launch at the Beijing international auto show on April 22nd. Click here to check out the 2010 unveiling of Beckham's special edition, at London's Kensington Palace.

Europe generally isn't a happy place for global automakers right now, but the show — as in the Geneva International Motor Show, now on through Mar. 18th — must go on. And so the 82nd annual Swiss event is proving a great forum for the next wave of automotive technology and design both aimed at the slumping continent as well as potentially ever other market around the world.

Interestingly, the New York Times reported that the Geneva show overall displayed a marked lack of promotion of all-electric cars, especially compared with previous years. The North America International Auto Show in Detroit, in January, demonstrated a similar restraint on the part of global automakers — even though a handful, including Ford and Mitsubishi, are coming out with their own EVs this year.

"Reality is phasing in," Peter Schwarzenbauer, a member of Audi's management board and head of marketing for Audi AG, told the Times. "There are still more questions than answers."Continue reading...

In 2010, Range Rover unveiled the Evoque in a splashy event at Kensington Palace co-hosted by Vogue, whose interested was piqued because Victoria Beckham consulted on the car's design.

Today at the Geneva Motor Show, Range Rover unveiled the next generation Evoque: a topless or convertible concept car, with sustainability as top of mind as the premium luxury features. More details after the jump.Continue reading...

Facebook appears ready to go public with $10 billion IPO in early February, despite ire at leak.

Exxon Mobil sells Japanese subsidiary for $4 billion in move to cut refining.

News Corp. reportedly woos Bloomberg exec as Twitter-happy Murdoch sees weekend arrests at The Sun tabloid.

ABB buys Thomas & Betts for $4 billion.

Angry Birds boss doesn't fear piracy.

Apple aims to sell 40 million iPhones in China next year.

Altria sees tobacco users embrace discount brands.

Bank of America shakes up investment banking division.

Barnes & Noble takes on Amazon with fifth Nook device.

Beyonce sees university class focus on her.Continue reading...

Archie Comics celebrates gay marriage in new cover.

Bristol-Myers to buy Inhibitex for $2.5 billion.

CBS introduces all-new CBS This Morning show.

Cadillac unveils ATS small sedan as import-fighter at Detroit Auto Show, which signals a turnaround for the industry.

Chick-fil-A cuts calories in kids' meals.

CES loses clout as tech-industry platform.

Current TV and Keith Olbermann make up following election coverage dispute.

Denny's promotes healthier media options.

Disney marketing head MT Carney departs.

Dow sponsorship of London 2012 Olympics continues to raise hackles.Continue reading...

Who said America's love affair with the car is over?

A new report by J.D. Power & Associates confirms what everyone in the U.S. auto industry already understands these days: American consumers like sheetmetal that is new, different and exciting.

For the second consecutive year in Power’s annual APEAL study (an acronym for Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout), recently launched all-new and redesigned models are substantially more appealing than their carryover counterparts.

The new snapshot also includes especially good news for the BMW, Chrysler and Hyundai brands.Continue reading...

News Corp. shares tumble as company goes on PR offensive with print apology as News International's former head Rebekah Brooks was arrested Sunday, London's police chief quits and actor Jude Law claims his phone was hacked. Prime Minister David Cameron called in Parliament to deal with the scandal, as speculation rises about possible harm to Murdoch's US empire.

ABS by Alan Schwartz balks at design copyright protection.

Amana introduces new online shopping tool.

Australia's government launches campaign for carbon tax.

Borders faces liquidation.Continue reading...

If it was up to automakers (and Hollywood), every year would see a stream of sequels from the three hit movie franchises hitting theaters through April and June this year.

Between Fast Five, Cars 2 and the upcoming Transformers 3, audiences have willingly subjected themselves to a level of auto product placement from Hollywood hits that borders on pornography. Call it "carnography."

From Ford Mustangs and Dodge Chargers to Range Rovers, VWs and the Chevy "Bublebee" Camaro, has there ever been a better three-month stretch for cinephile gearheads?

But while the Transformers and Fast Five series are straightforward about highlighting models, Cars 2 plays faster and looser, leaning on car brand stereotypes when necessary, and mixing and matching brands.Continue reading...