Who's Where: Christopher Svensson and Joel Piaskowski swap roles at Ford

Ford's Christopher Svensson and Joel Piaskowski have swapped roles, with Svensson becoming exterior design director, The Americas, and Piaskowski director of design, Asia Pacific. Svensson, who will report directly to Moray Callum, Ford's executive design director, The Americas, is based in the carmaker's Dearborn studio. He oversees the exterior design team responsible for developing new products in the North and South American regions as well as supporting Ford's global design.

Daimler, Renault are set to share vehicle platforms and engines

Following a year of intensive high-level talks and secretive, behind the scenes strategy meetings, Daimler AG and Renault SA have agreed on plans that will see their car-making divisions--Mercedes-Benz, Smart, Renault and Nissan--share resources on a wide range of products. The move signals more consolidation within the European automotive industry. Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche and Renault president Carlos Ghosn have set out three primary areas of cooperation that will see the carmakers share small-car and light-commercial-vehicle platforms, small gasoline and diesel engines, and electric drive systems.

Porsche 911 (991)

The release of a new generation of the Porsche 911 is always a major motoring event and the launch of the latest – the 991, which will make its debut in Frankfurt next month – appears to be the most significant since the icon switched to water cooling with the 996 in 1998. While quite obviously an evolution of the 997 and every version prior, the 991 is longer (+56mm), wider (+65mm) and lower (-11mm) than its predecessor, while the wheelbase has been extended in order to increase rear leg room and move the model further into the GT segment. Its front lamp graphics offer a visual link to the 918 concept car and sit above a set of angular DRL/turn signal units and enlarged lower mask intakes.