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[extract] As we count down to the Geneva Motor Show in March, Rolls-Royce has revealed more teaser images of the two-door version of the Ghost Saloon, known as the Wraith. "This image depicts Wraith's muscular rear haunches

[extract] The BMW Group has achieved its best ever first quarter in worldwide sales on the back of March

At the recent 2011 Good Design Awards presented by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, no fewer than six BMW Group models received recognition. Of these, 4 are BMW automobiles while 2 are motorcycles. The automobiles include the BMW 6 Series Convertible, BMW 6 Series Coupe, BMW 1 Series M Coupe and BMW ActiveE while the bikes consist of the BMW K 1600 GT/GTL and BMW G650 GS. BMW Group Design has already won the coveted design award several times in the past. Last year it was the BMW 5 Series Sedan, the MINI Countryman, the BMW S 1000 RR and the BMW Concept 6 design study that captured the prestigious prize. The annual Good Design Award ranks as the most celebrated international accolade in the field of product design. The prize is awarded based on the criteria of functionality and aesthetics and is now complemented by an ecological aspect that stipulates sustainable design in keeping with our times. In the 2011 edition, the independent jury of design experts and architects had to go through more than 500 product designs and graphics from 38 countries before selecting the winners. These trademarked awards were created in Chicago in 1950 by three architects: Eero Saarinen, Charles and Ray Eames and Edgar Kaufmann, Jr. The Good Design Awards aim to give international recognition for designers and manufacturers when they devise innovative products through invention and originality, beyond what is considered ordinary product and consumer design. Some photos of the BMW's winning entries can be found below.

If you think that Singapore is the only market where "premium" brands are seeing an increase in sales, well, think again. BMW recently reported that it has recorded a 21.7% increase in overall global sales for the month of February 2011 over the previous year. The figure includes all BMW Group vehicles, including Mini and Rolls-Royce. While Singapore has its very obvious reasons for a spike in sales for premium brands, I wonder what could possibly cause the increase in demand for BMW cars worldwide as well. OK, the burgeoning Chinese market, with its rapid economic growth churning out thousands of nouveau riche customers, can be explained. But what about other regions? Especially with fuel prices going up at the rate it is now. Rolls-Royce saw an increase of 276.1% in the same period. That two hundred and seventy-six per cent. What can I say? The rich are getting richer. The world has forgotten about what happened barely two years ago now.