Aston Martin's Launch Edition Cygnets (2011)

Production of the Aston Martin Cygnet begins in just a few months' time, and the sports car company has announced two special editions to celebrate the launch of its new city car. According to Aston Martin, the Cygnet Launch Edition White and Cygnet Launch Edition Black are being built to ‘exemplify the highly bespoke nature of this unique car.’ Are we alone in spotting the irony of building a run of identical vehicles to highlight the customisable nature of the Cygnet? The Cygnet Launch Edition White is supposed to be about serenity, with Snow White paint, white diamond-turned alloy wheels, and white Aston badges on the outside, and white leather on the inside.

Volvo could be heading East

Actually, it could be going absolutely anywhere a bid can be found. As we reported last week, Ford is trying desperately to unload its last remaining prestige marque – Volvo. And, as we thought, the disposal of Volvo by Ford is said to be a condition of the help that Ford, along with the other main US car makers, is begging from the US government.

Video: Buick's lead color and trim designer, Heather Scalf on the new Encore SUV

Buick's lead color and trim designer, Heather Scalf, talks us through the Buick Encore's interior as part of General Motors' ‘Faces of GM' series of short videos. The video series, which recently featured CDN and GM's joint interactive design contest, offers an insight into the lives and duties of the team at GM. Unveiled at the 2012 NAIAS, the Encore is a compact SUV that must fit into the Buick house style of mature luxury despite is relatively small size.