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Parking fines hit £30 per month

BRITISH motorists pay more than £30 million each month in parking fines, figures suggest. More tickets are being issued this year by councils than last year and there has been a 13% rise in fines issued on a Sunday, according to data obtained by LV=. The car insurer calculated councils have handed out more than 890,000 parking fines per month in 2013 - a 4% increase on 2012 figures - and, based on an average amount of £42 per ticket and excluding any successful appeals, drivers are now paying in excess of £30 million each month.

Who's Where: GM Design announces major global restructuring of design executives

GM Design has announced a major reshuffle of its global leadership team, with Mark Adams, current executive director of Global Cadillac and Buick Design and GME vice president of Design, amongst the movers. Designed to boost the emphasis of the carmaker's various brands, including Buick and Opel, the restructuring – which comes into effect on 1 September – will focus on improving joint strategies, theme development and innovation. Mark Adams will head back to Germany to take up the position as GME vice president of Design and champion for Opel/Buick brand strategies and design language.

Italdesign Tex concept

The second concept from Volkswagen's recently acquired Italdesign was the Tex. A research study into the potential future design language of the German brand, the Tex also draws on existing technologies from Wolfsburg.  Utilizing the 'twin drive' plug-in hybrid system, the Tex is capable of a range of 35 kilometers in electric mode, a range Giugiaro claims is ample enough for day-to-day commuting. Adopting a sporting pretense, the Tex is low slung, sitting atop large 19-inch diameter wheels and sports an aggressive DRG.