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Why Ford’s Euro design is changing: Joel Piaskowski replaces Martin Smith

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 28 May 2014 14:30 Ford today confirmed that it is shaking up its European design team, as it appoints Joel Piaskowski to replace the retiring Martin Smith. Smith, 64, has led Ford of Europe’s design team for a decade and is the father of the brand’s edgy ‘kinetic design’, but will step down on 1 July 2014, it was announced this afternoon. Before he retires fully at the end of the year Smith will work with the Blue Oval’s vice president of design, Moray Callum, on a global project looking at the future of Ford design.

Toyota drops plans for Electric Cars

Toyota has decided that there is little future for electric cars and has reigned in its plans to build battery electric vehicles. When you think of hybrid cars, you think of Toyota. But Toyota didn’t want to be left behind if battery electric cars strike a chord with buyers, so they were planning an extensive roll-out of the iQ EV – the Toyota eQ.

Opel / Vauxhall Ampera on hold over Chevy Volt fire

Opel / Vauxhall Ampera on hold over Chevy Volt fire With the NHTSA investigating Chevy Volt battery fires, the debut of the Opel/Vauxhall Ampera has been put on hold. If you ignore the price, we’re all in favour of the range extender hybrid option as the most elegant solution to electric cars. But new technology is not without its problems, as GM are finding out with the Chevy Volt.