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General Motors names Mary Barra to head global product development

General Motors named Mary Barra head of global product development on Thursday, succeeding Tom Stephens, who was named global chief technology officer of the automaker on Wednesday. An engineer, Barra, 49, is the first woman to hold the top product development job at GM. Since 2009 she has served as vice president of global human resources for GM--a key post as the automaker restructured and emerged from bankruptcy protection.

2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible confirmed

Volkswagen will reveal the 2013 VW Beetle Convertible at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. The new VW Beetle is only just starting to make an appearance on UK roads but already it’s about to be overshadowed by its flasher sibling – the 2013 VW Beetle Convertible. Launching at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, the new Beetle Convertible will be loosely based on the VW E-Bugster Cabriolet Concept we saw at the Beijing Show in the Spring.

Mercedes CLA 45 AMG Edition 1 revealed

The launch edition of the CLA AMG – the Mercedes CLA 45 AMG Edition 1 (pictured) has been revealed Launch editions are a way to tempt buyers in to a new model in quick sticks, so Mercedes has revealed the launch model for the new CLA45 – the Mercedes CLA 45 AMG Edition 1. Frankly, we’d be surprised if MB has any real trouble finding buyers for the CLA 45 AMG, but a launch edition with extra goodies is always a ‘nice to have’, and the CLA45 version looks appealing. The changes aren’t huge for the Edition 1, but they do include a gloss black spoiler at the back, graphite grey side stripes, a set of 19″ matte black alloys and red detailing for the mirrors, wheels and grill.