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Chrysler to close Pacifica Advanced Design Studios

The 20 designers at Chrysler's Pacifica Advanced Design Studios in Carlsbad, California will soon be finding themselves out of a job. The struggling North American automaker announced the closure of the facility on Friday, stating that the company is ‘leveraging resources worldwide, forming new joint ventures and alliances and consolidating operations in order to better achieve global balance.' Responsible for many of the more successful designs hailing from Chrysler in recent times, including the Chrysler 300 sedan and the new Dodge Challenger musclecar, the Pacifica Advanced Product Design Center also yielded the Nassau concept car and the Pacifica crossover – bearing the same name as the west coast studios in which it was created. The work done at the Pacifica Advanced Design Center will be consolidated into the Advance Design function in Auburn Hills and continue to be led by Senior Vice President of Design, Trevor Creed.

Aston Martin Rapide at 2009 Frankfurt motor show

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 15 September 2009 11:30 Nearly three years after Aston Martin unveiled the concept car, the production version of the elegant Rapide saloon has been revealed at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show. It’s Aston Martin’s first four-door car and will cost around £150,000 when sales start in early 2010. No, because Aston Martin admits the rear seats are only suitable for children, or adults on shorter journeys.

Who's Where: David Hilton appointed Head of Exterior Design for Bentley

David Hilton has been appointed Head of Exterior Design for Bentley Motors, based in the UK. The super-luxury brand – owned by the Volkswagen Group – is headed by CEO Wolfgang Durheimer, who is also in charge of Bugatti design development. US-born Hilton replaces Raul Pires in Crewe, Cheshire, after he left Bentley at the end of 2011 to join VW-owned Italdesign.