Who's Where: Richard Ferlazzo appointed GM Australia design director

Richard Ferlazzo has been appointed General Motors Australia design director. Taking up the position from 1 September, he will report directly to executive director international operations design Michael Simcoe and also GM Holden chairman and managing director Mike Devereux. Ferlazzo will be responsible for Advanced, Production and Global Contract programs and replaces Andrew Smith who left Holden this month to take up the position of executive director of global Cadillac and Buick design at GM's technical center in Warren, Michigan.

Aston Martin DB9 Facelift revealed

The subtly facelifted Aston Martin DB9 Remarkably, the Aston Martin DB9 has been with us since 2003. Yet it still conspires to look as fresh and appealing – and let’s face it, just downright beautiful – as it did when it launched. But standing still for too long is a dangerous game in business, so Aston Martin has decided the time has come to give the Aston Martin DB9 a facelift - as we reported in May.

Toyota tests chips that improve hybrid efficiency by 10 percent

Toyota announced on Tuesday that it has developed a new semiconductor, claiming it can boost fuel efficiency in hybrid cars by an impressive 10 percent. The semiconductors manage the flow of electricity through the power-control unit that connects the battery to an electric or hybrid car's motor and generator. The newly developed semiconductors are said to consume only a tenth of the energy of today's chips, while allowing the power-control unit to be 80 percent smaller.