Jason Castriota to head Saab Design

When Car Design News spoke to Jason Castriota about the new design consultancy he had set up in New York and Turin back in March, the designer told us he was working on a very exciting automotive project that he couldn't talk about at the time. It turns out that automotive project was for Saab, as last week the Swedish automaker announced it had hired Jason Castriota Design to oversee the development of a new generation of Saab products – the first to be completed under the tenure of its new owners, Spyker. Castriota's new appointment marks the shift from Saab's former position – where the brand was an integrated company within GM – to its newfound placement as an independent automaker, with Castriota essentially filling the role previously occupied by Mark Adams, GM Europe's Vice President of Design.

Ford Escape and Ford Focus output boosted to meet clunker demand

Ford Motor Co. is boosting third-quarter production of the Escape and Focus to replenish inventories depleted by cash-for-clunkers demand. Ford is adding another 10,000 units in the third quarter, primarily Escape and Focus, bringing planned North American production for the period up to 495,000 vehicles, up 18 percent from year-earlier levels.

Tesla Model S UK Prices – starts at £54,900

Tesla Model S UK Prices – starts at £54,900 We’d always expected the appealing Tesla Model S EV to cost at least £60k for the entry-level model, so it’s a pleasant surprise that you’ll be able to grab the 60kWh model with its (up to) 240 mile range for £49,900 after the UK taxpayer has chipped in a £5,000 bribe to get you to drive an EV. Even the range-topping Model S Performance with its 310 mile range, 416bhp and a very rapid 0-62mph of 4.2 seconds will only cost £68,700 (after £5k rebate). That’s almost a bargain, especially if you get your model S courtesy of your business.