Fiat to make Chryslers at former Bertone plant

Fiat will produce Chryslers at a recently acquired former Carrozzeria Bertone plant in Italy, Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said. Marchionne, who said that Chrysler's new, five-year post-bankruptcy business plan will be released in November, declined to reveal what cars will be built at the plant, in Grugliasco, near Turin, or when production will start. Sources in Turin said the factory could resume production in late 2011.

Coventry students embark on interior project for GM's Opel/Vauxhall division

Designers at GM's Opel/Vauxhall division have tasked students at Coventry University with creating the vehicle interior of the future. Championed by Richard Shaw, Chief Designer at Opel's Advanced Design Studio in Germany, students will be charged with creating innovative and visionary interior concepts for the next decade, taking into account future needs of consumers but also the brand's values. Judges from GM Europe Design and Coventry University will then select the winning entry.

Porsche to add 1,000 employees

To keep pace with its planned model expansion and sales targets, Porsche AG will add more than 1,000 employees by 2015, Automotive News Europe has learned from Volkswagen Group sources. About 500 jobs will be added for production of Porsche's new compact SUV, codenamed the Cajun, which will go on sale in 2013 in Europe and in North America about six months later. Porsche's supervisory board will make a decision on the production location of the Cajun in mid-March.