Saturn Vue Front Car Seat Covers Set With Official Saturn Logo on 2040-parts.com

Ford resurrects Vignale name in an attempt to add premiumness to mainstream models

Ford is resurrecting the name of renowned Italian design house Vignale in an attempt to bring its mainstream models up market in Europe. Of course this isn't Ford's first experience of using a defunct carrozzeria for its range-topping models – remember Ghia? The first of these new models will be the Mondeo, which will appear with Vignale badging, lashings of chrome and quilted leather in Frankfurt next week.

Aston Martin outlines Centenary celebrations

Aston Martin celebrates its centenary year in 2013 and has outlined plans to celebrate 100 years of Aston Martin. Officially, Aston Martin was founded in 1913 – although it was not until after the first world war ended that they actually started proper production – and with 2013 marking 100 years of Aston Martin there are celebrations planned throughout the year. On 15th January – exactly 100 years since Aston Martin was incorporated – the oldest surviving Aston Martin – the A3 – will join the latest Aston Martin Vanquish at Henniker Mews in Chelsea, where Aston Martin originally operated, to unveil a plaque to commemorate the anniversary with the Aston Martin Heritage Trust Walter Hayes Memorial Lecture taking place that evening with Sir John Standing telling the story of Lionel Martin’s early experiences.

Chrysler to close Pacifica Advanced Design Studios

The 20 designers at Chrysler's Pacifica Advanced Design Studios in Carlsbad, California will soon be finding themselves out of a job. The struggling North American automaker announced the closure of the facility on Friday, stating that the company is ‘leveraging resources worldwide, forming new joint ventures and alliances and consolidating operations in order to better achieve global balance.' Responsible for many of the more successful designs hailing from Chrysler in recent times, including the Chrysler 300 sedan and the new Dodge Challenger musclecar, the Pacifica Advanced Product Design Center also yielded the Nassau concept car and the Pacifica crossover – bearing the same name as the west coast studios in which it was created. The work done at the Pacifica Advanced Design Center will be consolidated into the Advance Design function in Auburn Hills and continue to be led by Senior Vice President of Design, Trevor Creed.