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Opel product chief Weber quits to take job with yet-unnamed rival

Frank Weber, the German-born engineer who helped lead development of the Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera hybrids, is leaving General Motors' Opel unit to work for an as-yet unnamed competitor. Weber has been Opel's product chief since November 2009. His departure was reported Thursday by Automotive News Europe and confirmed by company sources.

Who's Where: Craig Metros heads back to Michigan to become Ford's exterior design director of The Americas

Craig Metros is heading back to his native Michigan to take up a new position as Ford's exterior design director of The Americas. Metros leaves his current role as design director of Ford Asia Pacific in the company's Melbourne studio in Australia, where his team led the Everest, Falcon and Ranger programs. During Ford's PAG (Premier Auto Group) era, the CCS graduate was the first American designer to work in the Jaguar design studio in the UK before returning to America to lead the interior and exterior design themes of the 2004 Ford F-150.

Anders Warming to replace Gert Hildebrand as Design Director at Mini

Mini is set to get a new Design Director at the start of the new year. Gert Volker Hildebrand will pass the reigns to current Head of Exterior Design at BMW Cars, Anders Warming, the German automaker announced today. Gert Hildebrand has overseen the entire development and evolution of the Mini range since the introduction of the 'new' Mini, designed by Frank Stephenson in 2000.