AutoDesign Prague 2013: Design from the Heart of Europe

Charismatic designers, inspirational speeches and beautiful cars in an informal and friendly atmosphere was the order of the day at the third edition of the international automotive design conference AutoDesign Prague, which once again highlighted the importance of car culture and tradition's strong roots within the Czech Republic. In recent years, speakers have included prominent figures from the world of automotive design such as the Geely Group's Peter Horbury, Dassault Systèmes' Anne Asensio, Pininfarina's Fabio Filippini and design consultant Peter Stevens. This year's conference was themed ‘Design from the Heart of Europe' and so featured many Czech and Slovakian speakers.

Who's Where: Lars Falk appointed Vice President Product Design for Volvo Cars China

Swedish designer Lars Falk has been appointed Vice President Product Design for Volvo Cars China. In his new role, Falk will lead and develop an emerging design organization which will cover both production design and advanced/strategic activities for the Volvo brand. "I am privileged to set up a small yet efficient design organization which will cover both production design and advanced/strategic activities for the Volvo Cars brand," Falk told Car Design News.

2011 Saab 9-3 Price and Spec

2011 Saab 9-3 Once day, we’ll get round this problem of what year t0 allocate to a car. With the facelifted Saab 9-3 going on sale in the UK next month, Saab are referring to it as the 2012 MY Saab 9-3 in this morning’s press release, but it seems unlikely anyone in the UK will do so. In the US, cars going on sale from May are referred to as the following year car, so assuming the new 9-3 goes on sale across the Pond in May it will be the 2012 Saab 9-3.