Fiat Chrysler Automobiles today announced two moves in its leadership team. Davide Grasso, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NIKE’s Converse, joins FCA and is named Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Maserati. Grasso also is appointed to the Company’s Group Executive Council (GEC).
While at Converse, Grasso engineered that iconic brand for long-term sustainable growth. His previous experience includes a string of successes at NIKE, where he served in numerous leadership positions, including Chief Marketing Officer for the Nike brand.

Brexit, schmexit. Don’t you just love it. Well no actually, most people in Britain are pretty fed up with having had to endure three years of failed negotiations and politicians of all hues on both sides of the Houses of Parliament and the Lords constantly disagreeing with one another almost ad infinitum.

MarineMax, the USA’s largest recreational boat and yacht retailer, today announced that it has entered into an agreement for the acquisition of the Fraser Yachts Group from the Italian-based Azimut/Benetti Group. Fraser is consistently ranked as the leading superyacht brokerage and largest luxury yacht services company in the world. The transaction is expected to be accretive in its first full year.

As the only city in the world located on the border with three countries - Austria, the Czech Republic and Hungary - Bratislava, the Slovak capital, is worth at least a weekend trip away. There are also some excellent things to see and do in ‘Little Big’ city. And, with Vienna around 40km away, it’s a perfect place for a getaway.

The pace of everyday life is such that a holiday without any pressures in idyllic, uncrowded countryside does not always sustain its promise.  Luxury and total relaxation have to be essential ingredients whilst relative isolation and lack of passing interest can soon lose its appeal.  However, adding the ingredients of the home of some of the world’s best wine – Burgundy and the most relaxing, eco-friendly and luxurious means of travel – Hotel/Barge through unspoilt countryside is an unbeatable combination.  
 

I was fortunate enough to be asked to join a group trekking in Nepal for nearly a month in May. I was there to try to photograph the wonderful landscapes, the mountains, the flora and fauna, also the people and rural life. The others in the group were Laura Owens (WPA-World Pheasant Association) council member from Fauna and Flora International, with a friend, Suzanne Martin, and Louisa Lewis, an artist.

The special edition production of Ford Mustang Bullitt – celebrating the 50th anniversary the legendary Warner Bros. film starring Steve McQueen – is to be extended into 2020.
Following a popular first run of production, in which the full 2018 quota was sold shortly after announcement, production into 2020 has now been confirmed and gone on sale.

The 23rd edition of Europe’s longest-running superyacht regatta got started yesterday with the bay off Mallorca’s capital again delivering sparkling racing conditions for The Superyacht Cup Palma.
Nilaya got proceedings underway, the 34m dark hulled black sail carbon sloop powering up and crossing the line as the first to start the opening Pantaenius Race in the 13-strong superyacht fleet.
 

The internet has changed transparency for ever. Now there is a vast amount of information to be found about every brand, from mainstream media, blogs, reviews, forums, comments and trust sites. This has been a boon to luxury companies that are willing not only to engage directly with customers but to share their company values and processes. Companies that take a deeper stand on culture, society and the environment are performing better than their less conscientious counterparts.

Following an initial development programme of simulated aerodynamic testing in Italy, Automobili Pininfarina has revealed its stunning Blu Iconica Battista with new design details at the Turin Outdoor Auto Show.
The evolution of the Battista’s design as it heads into its development programme resulted in design detail upgrades that have redefined the front of the Battista and reinforced its hypercar look and feel, presenting an even greater visual connection between front and back.