Lajdziak replaces Schembri as the president of Smart USA

Jill Lajdziak, Saturn's former top executive, was named president of Smart USA just three days after starting with the company. David Schembri, who previously held the job, will take an unidentified position with the Penske Automotive Group, which distributes the Smart ForTwo microcar in the United States, the company said. "Dave will transition into retail operations at Penske Automotive Group with our dealerships," said Penske spokesman Anthony Pordon.

Aston Martin showrooms go Hi-Tec

I’m not too sure it will help much with sales at the moment, but it has been announced that Aston Martin are to become the first company to use Microsoft’s Surface Device in UK Car showrooms. The Surface device is in essence a glitzy coffee table, with a built in PC running the new software from Microsoft. Based on the software Aston Martin currently uses on its website, the device allows the salesman to configure the car on a coffee table screen, with changes of colour and wheels showing on the screen.

New Volvo V40 teased (NOT the V30)

Volvo V40 teased under a sheet The new Volvo V40 – which we thought would be the V30 – is being teased by Volvo ahead of a debut at Geneva 2012. So what is the new Volvo V40? It’s a good question.