Marc Girard appointed head of Interior Design at BMW Cars

Marc Girard starts his new job as head of the Interior Design department at BMW Automobiles today, taking over the post previously held by Michael Ninic who died unexpectedly last year. His appointment also alleviates some of the pressure put on Adrian van Hooydonk, who has effectively been managing both exterior and interior design departments for BMW Cars as well as acclimatizing to his new role as design director of the BMW Group following Chris Bangle's departure last month. A BMW Group designer for the last 15 years, French-born Girard was most recently team leader for Interior Design at BMW Automobiles, having been promoted from the position of head of interior design at MINI - a role he filled from 2004 to 2006.

Mercedes-Benz buys naming rights to the Louisiana Superdome

New Orleans' Louisiana Superdome, home at one time or another to Super Bowl champions and Hurricane Katrina refugees, is now home to a luxury-car brand. The arena was renamed the Mercedes-Benz Superdome this week after the carmaker acquired naming rights for 10 years. "The investment being made by a premier international brand who believes in 'the best or nothing,' is a tremendous compliment to all of those who worked so hard to make the stadium what it is today," said Tom Benson, owner of the NFL's New Orleans Saints.

Toyota will pay NHTSA fine, adds to recalls

Toyota has stayed at the top of the news in the last few days. The Japanese automaker agreed to pay the record $16.4 million fine the U.S. Transportation Department levied against it, even as it scrambled to fix the Lexus GX 460 that Consumer Reports said was unsafe to drive.