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Jason Castriota to head Saab Design

When Car Design News spoke to Jason Castriota about the new design consultancy he had set up in New York and Turin back in March, the designer told us he was working on a very exciting automotive project that he couldn't talk about at the time. It turns out that automotive project was for Saab, as last week the Swedish automaker announced it had hired Jason Castriota Design to oversee the development of a new generation of Saab products – the first to be completed under the tenure of its new owners, Spyker. Castriota's new appointment marks the shift from Saab's former position – where the brand was an integrated company within GM – to its newfound placement as an independent automaker, with Castriota essentially filling the role previously occupied by Mark Adams, GM Europe's Vice President of Design.

Saab steps up green drive

By Mark Walton Motor Shows 03 June 2007 01:58 Saab goes bio-power crazy Saab is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year with a further push into the very topical biofuels arena, and Geneva showcases two new examples of the Swedes' growing green commitment. First is the new 9-3 Biopower, a full range of saloon, estate and convertible 9-3s, all powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine that's been modified to run on both unleaded and E85 (85 percent ethanol, 15 percent petrol). The mechanical changes include hardened valves and valve seats, and a new stainless steel fuel tank and ancilliaries, adding up to what's expected to be a £600 premium in the showroom over the standard 9-3.

Is Jaguar Land Rover about to get in to bed with Chery Automobile in China?

Jaguar Land Rover to partner with Chery Automobile Following on from yesterday’s report that Jaguar are upping the ante in India with plans to assemble the Jaguar XF and Range Rover Evoque in Tata’s back garden, we now hear that JLR has agreed a deal with Chery Automotive in China for a joint venture. We reported back in February that sources in China were saying that the most likely partner for Jaguar Land Rover would be Chery Automobile, and reports from China Daily say that things have moved on since February and JLR and Chery have now got as far as seeking government approval for a joint venture. When we had the news back in February about a possible JLR/Chery deal, we asked Jaguar about the reports.