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TROLLHATTAN, Sweden — Saab Automobile, a newly independent company, named a new design director late last week, and filling the position is Jason Castriota, who is a former Bertone and Pininfarina designer.

He had apparently worked previously on Ferrari and Maserati models.

In his new role heading up design at Saab, he reports to chief executive officer Jan Ake Jonsson.

The duties of Castriota and his design company include exterior and interior design. Castriota is also charged with heading the design activities for the automaker as it goes through brand renewal and expanding the scope of its lineup.

"We're delighted to welcome Jason to our leadership team. He has an outstanding track record in automotive design and will help us take the brand forward," stated Jonsson. "He will play a key role in expressing all that's best in the innovative tradition of Saab design as we carry our brand's roots into the future."

Castriota added: "I'm greatly looking forward to joining such an iconic brand. Saab has a very strong and distinctive heritage which gives it great potential to develop. This is an exciting opportunity for me to help shape its future products."

Castriota became part of Pininfarina's design studio in 2001 and was named director of design at Stile Bertone in 2008. He later opened a design consultancy that has New York and Turin offices.

Victor Muller, Saab Automobile chairman, shared: "Bringing a young, highly-talented designer to Saab underlines the company's determination to produce cars which stand out because of their unique aircraft-inspired, Swedish identity. With Jason heading up Saab design, we will be making landmark cars for the foreseeable future."