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Americans plan to keep their cars longer, AutoPacific study finds

In another chilling sign that auto sales are likely to remain stalled, a new study finds that Americans intend to keep their cars longer, indicating a general concern about the industry and the overall economy. The number of new-car buyers planning to keep their rides more than four years has risen to 59 percent, according to a study released Tuesday by California marketing research firm AutoPacific. That's an increase from last year, when about 45 percent of new buyers intended to wait more than four years for their next purchase, and it's up from 2005's tally of 46 percent.

Pininfarina adds product-development director

Starting on Dec. 1, Andrea Maria Benedetto will serve as Italian car-design firm Pininfarina S.p.A.'s product-development director. Benedetto, who last served as the vice president of body and chassis function in the research and development division of Toyota Motor Europe, will organize engineering and R&D activities.

Who's Where: Robin Page joins Volvo Cars as interior design director

Robin Page has joined Volvo Cars as design director interior. He will report directly to Thomas Ingenlath, Volvo's vice president of Design. 41-year-old Page, formerly head of interior design at Bentley since 2001, was responsible for the Continental and Mulsanne ranges' interiors and also designed the interior of Queen Elizabeth II's State Limousine.  He previously undertook an apprenticeship with Jaguar and has also worked for Rolls-Royce and Bugatti.