Who's Where: Dave Rand resigns from Changan Automobile

Dave Rand, the former General Motors Design Chief, has resigned from the Chinese State-owned automaker after joining the company last October. Rand's resignation, which was made official last week, follows that of his senior at Changan, Ken Ma who stepped down as Vice President of Design earlier this year. It is not clear precisely why both men have decided to leave the Chinese carmaker, but several people familiar with the situation have said that both Rand and Ma's departures are connected with Changan Auto's recent financial difficulties.

Strand-Craft 122: It's a boat and a car

Feel like boating this holiday weekend? Here's what every AutoWeek reader needs: Mega-yacht builder Strand-Craft has introduced its extravagant 122, which the company calls a "high-performance streamlined Open super yacht." The art deco interior can be designed to suit your individual needs and includes a four double staterooms, heads, reception and salon areas. There are 52-inch LED televisions and Bang & Olufsen sound systems in all rooms.

College Exhibition: Institut Superieur de Design 2009

Valenciennes in northern France might not be the most glamorous of French towns but it's been quietly turning out transportation design graduates for over 20 years. The Institute Superieur de Design (ISD) isn't as well-known as Strate or Creapole in Paris, nevertheless it has a growing reputation as one of the most focused design schools in Europe with an enviable record of internships and employment of its graduates. Last month CDN was invited to join the final assessments of this year's graduate cohort.