Porsche to add 1,000 employees

To keep pace with its planned model expansion and sales targets, Porsche AG will add more than 1,000 employees by 2015, Automotive News Europe has learned from Volkswagen Group sources. About 500 jobs will be added for production of Porsche's new compact SUV, codenamed the Cajun, which will go on sale in 2013 in Europe and in North America about six months later. Porsche's supervisory board will make a decision on the production location of the Cajun in mid-March.

Latest news on Fiat's plan to gobble up GM-Europe

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 15 May 2009 10:18 With just over a fortnight until General Motors’ fate is sealed, moves to rescue GM’s European car making division are accelerating. Fiat – already named as the Obama-blessed partner for bankrupt Chrysler in the US – is now wooing Opel, Vauxhall and Saab in Europe. If successful, Fiat would overnight become the second biggest car making business in the world.

Fourth Chinese Auto Design Competition launched

The fourth Chinese Auto Design Contest officially launched in Beijing last week. Sponsored by China's Society of Automotive Engineers, the China Industrial Design Association, the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission and the Beijing Fengtai District People's Government, the competition is the largest and most authoritative state-level professional event. Held biennially, this year's Chinese Auto Design competition is divided into two categories: Design Innovation (which judges current vehicles created by automakers) and Creative Design.