Friday, August 29, 2014
FTA ENCOURAGING FREIGHT OPERATORS TO TRIAL LONGER SEMI-TRAILERS
"Longer semi-trailers are good for both the environment and business," is the message from the Freight Transport Association (FTA) following today's DfT statement which offers a final chance to freight operators to join the trial.
Transport Minister Claire Perry who made the Department for Transport (DfT) announcement this morning stated: "this is the last chance for freight operators to take part in a scheme that is helping hauliers boost trade and industry."
According to the DfT, 400 freight operator allocations are still available to allow them to use longer vehicles to transport goods on UK roads, providing a boost to trade and industry.
The trial is cutting traffic and carbon emissions as it is expected to save over 3,000 tonnes of CO2 over 10 years with the overall benefits are estimated at £33 million over 10 years.
James Hookham, the Freight Transport Association's (FTA) Managing Director for Policy and Communications, said:
"FTA supports the trial of longer semi-trailers as there are significant environmental and efficiency benefits on offer from deploying these vehicles. This is not a vehicle for all sectors and will be most beneficial on journeys where the goods carried are high volume, low weight as vehicle fill can be improved."
The trial is cutting traffic and carbon emissions as it is expected to save over 3,000 tonnes of the government's 10 year longer semi-trailer trial was in 2012 and enabled freight operators to bid for a share of 1,800 vehicle allocations.
Mr Hookham added:
"The results of the trial so far have been encouraging and we are keen that those operators who can put these trailers into use on work for which they are suitable should be able to do so. This process for reallocating unused permits should help operators to do that, thus securing an essential contribution to industry's carbon reduction programme."
The longer semi-trailer permits allow operators to run articulated lorries up to 2 metres longer than existing, standard articulated vehicles. This length gives an equivalent deck space to the current standards drawbar (rigid truck and trailer) combinations.
DATED: 29.08.2014
FEED: HA
MOTORISTS WORRY ABOUT SAFETY ON THE SCHOOL RUN
Over a third see children getting out of cars on the roadside
New BCA research reveals the bad habits of the school run with 57% of motorists spotting illegal parking outside school gates
As the start of Autumn school term approaches, the latest research* from BCA, the leading vehicle remarketing company, reveals the pressures faced by parents - and other motorists - on school run routes. Both parents and non-parents were surveyed and with nearly half (45%) of non-parents saying they drive by schools or use the same route as parents dropping off their children, it's clear that school runs create some significant pinch-points.
Key findings:
- 46% of all motorists believe parents drive their children to school because it takes too long to walk
- 30% of non-parents believe children demand to be driven to school, compared to just 17% of parents
- Over a third (38%) of all motorists think unreliable public transport prompts parents to drive children to school
- More than half (57%) of motorists see illegal parking outside of school gates
- 44% of have seen parents and children not looking at oncoming traffic when opening car doors
- Both parents and non-parents were most in favour of schools creating drop-off areas to tackle congestion and parking issues during the school run at 52% and 57% respectively
- 29% of parents think police officers should be on patrol to tackle parking issues during the school run
- Parents in Northern Ireland are most likely to drive their children to school, topping the list at 51%, followed by families in the North East and West Midlands at 39%.
- 36% of Londoners drive their offspring to school, whilst children in the South East are least likely to be driven at just 26%.
According to the new BCA research, it seems that driving children to school is a clear necessity for many families, with 46% of all motorists identifying the distance from home to school being too far to walk as the root cause. Unreliable public transport, or the lack of a school bus, is a another reason cited by over a third (38%) of motorists and for 31% it's simply the logistics of getting different children to different schools that forces the decision.
But whatever the reason, it's clear that traffic congestion in general and parking around the school gates is a cause for concern for many motorists. More than half of drivers (57%) said they see illegal parking outside school gates, with this being most prevalent in Scotland (62%) and least likely in Northern Ireland (47%).
When it comes to arguments over parking and driving, it seems that parents are much more aware of these issues than non-parents. 28% of parents said they had seen parents and residents arguing over parking spaces, compared to just 16% of non-parents. London takes the top spot for parking arguments at 30%.
Child safety is a concern for all motorists with 44% saying they see parents and children opening car doors and not looking at oncoming traffic and 35% seeing children getting out of cars on the road side rather than pavement.
"It's clear from our survey that the stresses of the school run are getting motorists hot under the collar. And there are potentially dangerous choices being made by some drivers when it comes to double parking outside the school gates and ‘drop and go' tactics that leave pupils having to negotiate busy roads before reaching the safety of the school," says Tim Naylor, Editor of the BCA Used Car Market Report.
He added "Driving in the rush hour is always stressful and the school run just adds to the congestion, with many motorists seeing parents and children taking what they perceive to be unnecessary risks. Perhaps that's why motorists were supportive of new measures to tackle congestion and parking issues that would make the environment safer for the school run."
Top of the list for parents and non-parents was creating drop-off areas at schools at 53%; nearly a third (30%) suggested staggered drop-off times. But perhaps not surprisingly, non-parents were less keen on measures that might actually slow them down. Only 18% of non-parents favoured speed restrictions compared to 23% of parents. And probably considering the practicalities, parents were less in favour of community walking schemes at 27% compared to 39% of non-parents.
DATED: 29.08.2014
FEED: HA
LEXUS TAKES SAFETY TO A HIGHER LEVEL IN THE NEW NX 300H
- New Lexus NX 300h benefits from impressive preventive, active and passive safety features
- First UK Lexus to be equipped with Pre-Crash Safety system and Adaptive Cruise Control as standard on all versions
- Robust body structure designed to absorb and disperse impact forces
- Cabin equipped with eight airbags and whiplash injury-lessening seats
- New NX 300h available to order now, customer deliveries from October
Lexus takes its advanced vehicle safety technology to another level with the new NX 300h, which will be its first UK model to be fitted as standard with radar-controlled systems to help prevent an accident happening.
All versions of the NX 300h, Lexus's first compact crossover, will be equipped with a Pre-Crash Safety system and Adaptive Cruise Control as part of a comprehensive array of active, passive and preventive safety features. Together these demonstrate the priority Lexus has given to securing the best protection for everyone on board.
Pre-Crash Safety system
The Pre-Crash Safety system uses a millimetre-wave radar sensor in the front grille to detect vehicles and other obstacles on the road ahead. If there is a high risk of a collision, PCS will alert the driver with a buzzer and visual warning, activate the Pre-Crash Seatbelt pretensioners, and, when the driver begins to brake, provide Pre-Crash Brake Assist to supplement the braking effort. If the driver does not brake and a collision becomes inevitable, the Pre-Crash Brake will automatically apply the brakes to reduce impact speed and lessen the consequences of the impact.
All-speed Adaptive Cruise Control
The NX 300h's Adaptive Cruise Control uses the same front-mounted millimetre-wave radar sensor as the Pre-Crash Safety system and steering sensors to recognise a vehicle ahead and maintain a safe distance. The latest development of Lexus's technology works at all speeds, even down to standstill. Once on the move again, the system will automatically accelerate back to the pre-selected speed.
Active safety
The active safety package includes Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
Lane Keep Assist with steering control sounds a warning buzzer if it judges that the vehicle is about cross lane markings without using the turn indicators. Appropriate steering assistance is initiated to help avoid moving out of lane.
The Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert use millimetre-wave radars on each side of the NX that detect vehicles moving in the driver's blind spot, or approaching from either side when the car is being reversed out of a parking space. Both systems warn the driver of nearby vehicles by triggering lights in the door mirror on the appropriate side of the car.
The NX 300h is equipped with daytime running lights, a rear-view camera and front and rear fog lamps, as well as numerous electronic safety and handling systems. These include and emergency brake signal, Vehicle Stability Control traction control, ABS with brake assist and electronic Brakeforce distribution and Hill-start Assist Control.
Automatic high beam
The automatic high beam function (standard on the NX 300h F Sport and Premier) uses a windscreen-mounted camera to detect both on-coming traffic and vehicles ahead. It automatically switches the LED headlamps to high beam when the road ahead is clear, and to low beam to prevent other road uses being dazzled.
Passive safety
In line with Lexus's stringent car-to-car impact compatibility standards, the NX 300h has been created with the aim of achieving class-leading performance.
Front and side impact protection measures include the use of high tensile strength sheet steel (up to 980Mpa) in key areas, including the centre pillar hinge reinforcement, outer rockers and roof cross-members. In a collision, side impact load is direct to the floor through cross-members built into the rockers beneath the centre pillars.
The roof impact resistance structure disperses load when the roof is crushed, minimising cabin distortion. It includes front pillar reinforcement and high-strength steel reinforcements in the centre pillars, and reinforcement around the seatbelt anchors.
In the cabin there are energy-absorbing structures in the pillars and headlining and impact-absorbing pads in the front and rear door trims, alongside the occupants' lumbar region. All models are fitted with Whiplash Injury-Lessening front seats.
Airbags
All versions of the NX 300h come with eight airbags, including a dual-stage driver's airbag, dual-stage and dual-chamber front passenger airbag, driver's knee airbag, front passenger cushion airbag, front side airbags and full-length curtain airbags.
Pedestrian Protection
Pedestrian protection provisions include an energy-absorbing structure for the bonnet and wing mounting bracket and an impact-absorbing structure for the cowl. Energy-absorbing material is used in the front of the bumper and beneath the radiator support, to reduce the risk of leg injuries.
DATED: 29.08.2014
FEED: HA
ŠKODA CELEBRATES THE ARRIVAL OF THE NEW FABIA
- ŠKODA's main plant Mladá Boleslav celebrates start of production for the new Fabia
- Production facility in Mladá Boleslav has been strongly upgraded
- Top-of-the-range technology with regards to safety, connectivity, environment and comfort
- Practical and full of emotion: fresh looks, lots of space, new ‘Simply Clever' features
Mladá Boleslav, 28 August 2014 - Reason to celebrate: under the header ‘Welcome New Fabia', the first third-generation ŠKODA Fabia rolled off the production line at ŠKODA's parent plant in Mladá Boleslav. The production staff gave the first car - a Fabia in ‘Race Blue' - a standing ovation as it passed the final inspection. The completely newly designed ŠKODA Fabia wows with its emotionally-rich design language, innovative safety, comfort and infotainment systems from higher car segments, as well as with its low consumption values. Market launch will be in November.
"The start of production for the new ŠKODA Fabia is another milestone in our model and production campaign," says ŠKODA Board Member for Production Michael Oeljeklaus. "It's always a big moment when the first vehicle of a newly developed model rolls of the line. This particularly applies to the new Fabia, as this great car is an important pillar in ŠKODA's growth strategy. Our teams from Development and Production have put in meticulous and intensive preparation and commitment to get the small car up and running - a car that will set new benchmarks in its segment," says Oeljeklaus. Ahead of the production start for the ŠKODA Fabia, extensive adjustment and refurbishment work has been completed at the Mladá Boleslav factory; all carried out during the factory holiday which ended mid-August. 40 companies specialised in production technology along with hundreds of experts have been involved in the process.
The new ŠKODA Fabia is ‘simply more car' in every respect. The third-generation Fabia demonstrates as the first production car how ŠKODA's design has developed into a more expressive and emotionally-rich design language. Smooth proportions, crystalline shapes and clear-cut lines make the new edition stand out. In addition, the new ŠKODA Fabia provides much more scope for customisation than ever before, inside and out.
What's more: small car, big on technology. The new ŠKODA Fabia has been given innovative safety, comfort and infotainment systems from higher vehicle segments. For the first time, a ŠKODA can easily be paired with a smartphone via MirrorLinkTM technology. The completely new range of engines also sets new benchmarks, making the third-generation model the most ecological and economical ŠKODA Fabia of all time. Compared to the previous model, the new Fabia uses up to 17 per cent less fuel.
In typical ŠKODA style, the new Fabia also impresses with its generous space and numerous ‘Simply Clever' features, up to nine of which are new.
With a completely newly developed, third generation model, the manufacturer wants to continue the ŠKODA Fabia's impressive success story. Having sold approx. 3.4 million vehicles to date worldwide, the Škoda Fabia is the Czech brand's bestselling car after the Škoda Octavia. Between 1999 and 2006, a total of 1.8 million first-generation Fabias were sold. From 2006 to date, ŠKODA delivered around 1.7 million second-generation Fabias to customers.
DATED: 29.08.2014
FEED: HA
SMMT TRANSPORT NEWS BRIEF
While car production often hogs the headlines, it's interesting to note that the two longest running automotive factories in the UK both produce commercial vehicles.
General Motors' Vauxhall facility in Luton has been continually in operation since 1905, while Leyland started production in 1907.
The Vauxhall plant has recently had a £168 million investment to build the new generation of Vivaro van, guaranteeing the plant's future until at least 2025.
Car plants get most of the political and media attention due to their scale, speed and all those robots, but while making CVs may not seem as glamorous, the manufacturing and engineering challenges are much the same as those of a car.
All that automation in a car plant gives one minute cycle times but the greater station complexity in a CV plant means these will be much longer.
If you would like to know more about SMMT or are interested in membership then please contact: membership@smmt.co.uk
Nigel Base, SMMT Commercial Vehicle Manager
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Top Stories
From 1 September 2014, the DVSA has vowed to take a ‘more robust approach' to commercial vehicles with defective fuel systems. Following a Highways Agency (HA) report on the effect of diesel fuel spills on the road network, the Department for Transport (DfT) has asked DVSA to review the sanctions issued at the roadside for [...]
The post DVSA cracks down on diesel spills appeared first on Transport News Brief.
Transport technology firms and advanced manufacturing companies in the West Midlands have a second opportunity to get funding for future expansion projects. The Black Country Gold scheme, supported by the European Regional Development Fund, sees grants up to £16,000 up for grabs by small and medium enterprises in Dudley, Walsall, Sandwell and Wolverhampton. The opening [...]
The post Black Country transport firms have another chance to strike goldappeared first on Transport News Brief.
The heavy goods sector needs to continue looking for methods to reduce its carbon footprint despite already making large advances, says truck-listing website Truck Locator. It has produced a white paper examining the environmental impact of the logistics and transport sectors in the UK. The report focused on all sectors including passenger car, maritime and [...]
The post Efficiency and training are key to reducing a HGV's carbon footprintappeared first on Transport News Brief.
Features
While the market for paid-for printed newspapers is in a state of flux, there still remains a generation that requires its hard-copy read. This means the demands to get these products to market in a timely, yet efficient, manner are as great as ever. For Menzies Distribution, the changing market has meant looking to other [...]
The post Making the news: TNB speaks to David Shedden of Menzies Distribution appeared first on Transport News Brief.
CV News
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DATED: 29.08.2014
FEED: HA
KIA SIGNS US$ 1 BILLION AGREEMENT TO BUILD A NEW MANUFACTURING PLANT IN MEXICO
- Plant to be located in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon region
- Construction to begin in September
- 300,000 vehicles a year capacity for new plant
- Kia's global capacity will rise to 3.37 million vehicles a year
Kia Motors Corporation has announced it has signed an investment agreement with the government of Mexico to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Monterrey which is located the northeastern state of Nuevo León.
The official investment agreement was signed at the Technological Museum of the Electricity Federal Commission (MUTEC) in Mexico City, and was attended by a delegation of key executives from Kia Motors, led by Hyoung-Keun Lee, Vice Chairman of Kia Motors Corp., and a host of Mexican government dignitaries including Enrique Peña Nieto, President of Mexico, and Rodrigo Medina de la Cruz, Governor of the State of Nuevo León.
Construction on the Kia Motors Mexico plant is scheduled to commence in late September, and when completed in the first half of 2016 it will boast an annual production capacity of 300,000 vehicles. The plant will boost Kia's total global manufacturing capacity to 3.37 million vehicles, including 1.69 million vehicles at domestic Korean plants and 1.68 million at overseas plants. Kia plans to produce a range of yet-to-be confirmed compact models at the new plant.
Representing an investment of approximately US$1 billion by Kia Motors, the new, highly automated manufacturing plant will be situated on a 500 hectare (53.8 million square foot) site that will also be home to numerous supplier companies' facilities.
As one of the world's fastest growing automakers in recent years, Kia Motors Corporation has been evaluating various options for entering new overseas markets to secure future growth for the brand. With its strong growth forecasts for new vehicle demand, Mexico was chosen as the site for Kia's next overseas plant given that it is one of the few remaining major markets of the world in which Kia does not have a sales presence.
For Korean automakers to competitively enter the Mexico market, the establishment of local production facilities is pivotal as Mexico imposes high tariffs on imported cars from Korea. Mexico is well-known for its skilled labour force and numerous free trade agreements (such as NAFTA) with about 40 countries.
Kia expects the Mexico plant to play a major role in alleviating current global supply issues thanks to its strategic geographic location. Its proximity to the USA will enable the company to better address the ongoing supply shortage situation that has arisen due to the dramatic growth of the Kia brand in the US market. Kia also plans to utilize the plant as a foundation for strengthening the brand's sales presence throughout the entire Central and South America region while freeing up supply from Kia's domestic plants to address supply shortage issues in other regions of the world.
Hyoung-Keun (Hank) Lee, Vice Chairman of Kia Motors Corp., said, "All of us at Kia Motors are proud to signal in a new era for the brand with the announcement of our first manufacturing plant in Mexico. We are committed to producing world-class quality vehicles here in Mexico that feature industry-leading styling and high-tech convenience and safety features that customers have come to expect from Kia, while making significant contributions to both the economic growth of the State of Nuevo León and the future development of the Mexican automotive industry."
DATED: 29.08.2014
FEED: HA
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
ROADS REVOLUTION SEES EXTRA 900 MILES OF CAPACITY
Road users will see around 900 extra lane miles of road capacity added to England's strategic highway network by 2021 - a third more than was provided in the previous decade.
The boost is thanks to a huge £24 billion investment - the biggest since the 1970s - which will see annual funding for enhancements to our motorways and major A roads triple over the next six years. Investment includes more than £9 billion on maintenance, £6 billion of which will be spent on resurfacing 3,000 miles of the strategic road network.
Roads Minister John Hayes said:
" As a crucial part of our long-term economic plan to secure a brighter future for Britain, we are fixing problems that have been created by governments of the past by delivering around 35 per cent more capacity on our roads than was delivered in the nine years up to 2010. It is because of the difficult decisions that this Government has taken that we are able to triple investment in our major roads to over £3 billion a year up to 2021.
"We're doing this with great care for our environment. This extra capacity will be achieved mainly by the use of smart motorways and selective widening to minimise the environmental impact.
"This government will oversee more work, more safety, and more improvements on our roads. This will benefit hard-working people and businesses, help ease congestion and create a road network fit for the 21st century and beyond."
The period 2001 to 2010 saw construction of 574 lane miles. This government has committed to 60 new road schemes, the majority of which will be completed by 2021, subject to value for money and deliverability. This will provide 962 miles of new road, 35 per cent more miles of road per year than under the previous government.
More road schemes are expected to be added to the programme following the 2014 Autumn Statement, which could include solutions identified as part of six feasibility studies that are looking at dealing with some of the most notorious and long-standing hotspots on England's roads, including the A303 in the South West and the A47 in the East of England.
Along with the results of the Highways Agency route strategies - a comprehensive review of all roads in England - the outcomes of the studies will help ensure the government continues to meet the future needs of roads users.
Taxpayers will also save more than £2.6 billion over the next 10 years as the Highways Agency is transformed into a government-owned company. The new company, of which the Transport Secretary is the single shareholder, will use stable, locked-in funding to boost efficiency with the supply chain and will be more accountable to Parliament and road users.
Find out what else the government is doing to support and grow the UK economy
Roads Minister John Hayes said:
" As a crucial part of our long-term economic plan to secure a brighter future for Britain, we are fixing problems that have been created by governments of the past by delivering around 35 per cent more capacity on our roads than was delivered in the nine years up to 2010. It is because of the difficult decisions that this Government has taken that we are able to triple investment in our major roads to over £3 billion a year up to 2021.
"We're doing this with great care for our environment. This extra capacity will be achieved mainly by the use of smart motorways and selective widening to minimise the environmental impact.
"This government will oversee more work, more safety, and more improvements on our roads. This will benefit hard-working people and businesses, help ease congestion and create a road network fit for the 21st century and beyond."
The period 2001 to 2010 saw construction of 574 lane miles. This government has committed to 60 new road schemes, the majority of which will be completed by 2021, subject to value for money and deliverability. This will provide 962 miles of new road, 35 per cent more miles of road per year than under the previous government.
More road schemes are expected to be added to the programme following the 2014 Autumn Statement, which could include solutions identified as part of six feasibility studies that are looking at dealing with some of the most notorious and long-standing hotspots on England's roads, including the A303 in the South West and the A47 in the East of England.
Along with the results of the Highways Agency route strategies - a comprehensive review of all roads in England - the outcomes of the studies will help ensure the government continues to meet the future needs of roads users.
Taxpayers will also save more than £2.6 billion over the next 10 years as the Highways Agency is transformed into a government-owned company. The new company, of which the Transport Secretary is the single shareholder, will use stable, locked-in funding to boost efficiency with the supply chain and will be more accountable to Parliament and road users.
Find out what else the government is doing to support and grow the UK economy
DATED: 27.08.2014
FEED: HA
VOLKSWAGEN GROUP STARTS SECOND HALF YEAR WITH RISE IN DELIVERIES
- 5.78 million vehicles handed over from January to July / +6.0 percent*
- 808,500 units delivered in July / +6.7 percent*
- Group Board Member for Sales Christian Klingler: "Pleasing start to second half of year. Uncertainty continues to overshadow economic conditions in global automotive sector."
The Volkswagen Group delivered 5.78 (January-July 2013: 5.45; +6.0 percent)* million vehicles from January to July. The company handed over 808,500 (July 2013: 757,500; +6.7 percent)* vehicles to customers in the month of July. "The Volkswagen Group and its brands have made a pleasing start to the second half of the year", Group Board Member for Sales Christian Klingler said in Wolfsburg on Friday, and added: "Nevertheless, uncertainty continues to overshadow economic conditions in the global automotive sector."
Group brands delivered a total of 2.32 (2.16; +7.2 percent) million vehicles on the overall European market in the first seven months of the year, of which 1.21 (1.12; +8.4 percent) million were delivered in Western Europe (excluding Germany). 724,300 (678,900; +6.7 percent) customers in the home market of Germany chose a new car from the Volkswagen Group, while the company delivered 383,300 (365,500; +4.9 percent) vehicles in Central and Eastern Europe. 157,400 (175,000; -10.1 percent) models were handed over to customers in Russia.
The Group delivered 500,700 (512,600; -2.3 percent) vehicles in the North America region from January to July, of which 337,700 (356,800; -5.4 percent) were handed over to customers in the United States. The Volkswagen Group delivered 410,700 (523,400; -21.5 percent) units in the South America region, of which 320,300 (386,300; -17.1 percent) were handed over to customers in Brazil.
The Volkswagen Group continued to record encouraging figures in the Asia-Pacific region, where 2.31 (2.00; +15.5 percent) million vehicles were delivered in the period to July, of which 2.10 (1.79; +17.2 percent) million units were handed over to customers in China, the Group's largest single market.
Outline of developments at Group brands
The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand delivered 3.56 (3.43; +3.8 percent) million vehicles worldwide from January to July. The brand continued to develop well in the Asia-Pacific region, where 1.72 (1.48; +16.2 percent) million units were handed over to customers. Volkswagen Passenger Cars delivered 333,400 (362,300; -8.0 percent) vehicles in the North America region. The brand reported slight growth on the overall European market, where 1.00 (0.98; +2.9 percent) million vehicles were delivered.
Audi delivered 1.01 (0.91; +11.1 percent) million vehicles to customers worldwide in the period to July. Deliveries by the premium brand from Ingolstadt developed well in the Asia-Pacific region, where 375,000 (319,200; +17.5 percent) models were handed over to customers. Audi delivered 119,400 (105,900) vehicles in the North America region during the same period, an increase of 12.7 percent.
The sports car manufacturer Porsche delivered a total of 104,900 (95,300; +10.0 percent) vehicles from January to July. At 35,200 (30,700; +14.6 percent) models, the overall European market accounted for the largest share, while 32,200 (28,400; +13.4 percent) units were delivered in Asia-Pacific and 30,600 (27,700; +10.5 percent) vehicles were handed over to customers in the North America region.
ŠKODA delivered 605,300 (534,300; +13.3 percent) vehicles in the first seven months of the year. The Czech automaker handed over 159,600 (140,200; +13.9 percent) models to customers in Central and Eastern Europe, and delivered 164,300 (155,400; +5.7 percent) vehicles in the Asia-Pacific region.
SEAT continued to grow, delivering 234,600 (212,100; +10.6 percent) vehicles worldwide in the period to July. The increase was particularly strong on the overall European market, where 200,100 (175,000; +14.3 percent) vehicles were handed over to customers. SEAT also recorded growth in Germany, where the company delivered 49,900 (44,800; +11.5 percent) units, and in Central and Eastern Europe, where 14,900 (8,800; +69.0 percent) vehicles were handed over.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered 255,200 (265,700; -3.9 percent) vehicles to customers worldwide in the first seven months of the year, of which 191,000 (180,100; +6.1 percent) were handed over on the overall European market. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles also grew deliveries in the Asia-Pacific region, where the company handed over 13,000 (12,200; +6.2 percent) vehicles.
*) excluding MAN and Scania
Group brands delivered a total of 2.32 (2.16; +7.2 percent) million vehicles on the overall European market in the first seven months of the year, of which 1.21 (1.12; +8.4 percent) million were delivered in Western Europe (excluding Germany). 724,300 (678,900; +6.7 percent) customers in the home market of Germany chose a new car from the Volkswagen Group, while the company delivered 383,300 (365,500; +4.9 percent) vehicles in Central and Eastern Europe. 157,400 (175,000; -10.1 percent) models were handed over to customers in Russia.
The Group delivered 500,700 (512,600; -2.3 percent) vehicles in the North America region from January to July, of which 337,700 (356,800; -5.4 percent) were handed over to customers in the United States. The Volkswagen Group delivered 410,700 (523,400; -21.5 percent) units in the South America region, of which 320,300 (386,300; -17.1 percent) were handed over to customers in Brazil.
The Volkswagen Group continued to record encouraging figures in the Asia-Pacific region, where 2.31 (2.00; +15.5 percent) million vehicles were delivered in the period to July, of which 2.10 (1.79; +17.2 percent) million units were handed over to customers in China, the Group's largest single market.
Outline of developments at Group brands
The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand delivered 3.56 (3.43; +3.8 percent) million vehicles worldwide from January to July. The brand continued to develop well in the Asia-Pacific region, where 1.72 (1.48; +16.2 percent) million units were handed over to customers. Volkswagen Passenger Cars delivered 333,400 (362,300; -8.0 percent) vehicles in the North America region. The brand reported slight growth on the overall European market, where 1.00 (0.98; +2.9 percent) million vehicles were delivered.
Audi delivered 1.01 (0.91; +11.1 percent) million vehicles to customers worldwide in the period to July. Deliveries by the premium brand from Ingolstadt developed well in the Asia-Pacific region, where 375,000 (319,200; +17.5 percent) models were handed over to customers. Audi delivered 119,400 (105,900) vehicles in the North America region during the same period, an increase of 12.7 percent.
The sports car manufacturer Porsche delivered a total of 104,900 (95,300; +10.0 percent) vehicles from January to July. At 35,200 (30,700; +14.6 percent) models, the overall European market accounted for the largest share, while 32,200 (28,400; +13.4 percent) units were delivered in Asia-Pacific and 30,600 (27,700; +10.5 percent) vehicles were handed over to customers in the North America region.
ŠKODA delivered 605,300 (534,300; +13.3 percent) vehicles in the first seven months of the year. The Czech automaker handed over 159,600 (140,200; +13.9 percent) models to customers in Central and Eastern Europe, and delivered 164,300 (155,400; +5.7 percent) vehicles in the Asia-Pacific region.
SEAT continued to grow, delivering 234,600 (212,100; +10.6 percent) vehicles worldwide in the period to July. The increase was particularly strong on the overall European market, where 200,100 (175,000; +14.3 percent) vehicles were handed over to customers. SEAT also recorded growth in Germany, where the company delivered 49,900 (44,800; +11.5 percent) units, and in Central and Eastern Europe, where 14,900 (8,800; +69.0 percent) vehicles were handed over.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered 255,200 (265,700; -3.9 percent) vehicles to customers worldwide in the first seven months of the year, of which 191,000 (180,100; +6.1 percent) were handed over on the overall European market. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles also grew deliveries in the Asia-Pacific region, where the company handed over 13,000 (12,200; +6.2 percent) vehicles.
*) excluding MAN and Scania
DATED: 27.08.2014
FEED: HA
MARTIJN TEN BRINK APPOINTED VICE PRESIDENT SALES AT MAZDA MOTOR EUROPE
Mazda Motor Europe announces that Mr. Martijn ten Brink, (41) currently the Managing Director of Mazda Netherlands and Mazda Belgium will be appointed Vice-President Sales on 1 September, 2014.
He will report to Jeff Guyton, President and CEO of Mazda Motor Europe. In this role Martijn will oversee the group's 22 National Sales Companies and relationships with Independent Distributors of Mazda in Europe.
Martijn is a Dutch national who joined Mazda Europe in 1999 and has held various sales and marketing positions in the region's National Sales Companies as well in Mazda Europe's head office in Leverkusen. He successfully launched Mazda's new National Sales Company in The Netherlands in 2008, and added management of Mazda Belgium/ Luxembourg to his remit in 2011. He has profound knowledge of the automotive industry and brings with him a rich international background.
As of September 1, 2014 Ms. Geraldine Brouwers (40) will be appointed Managing Director at Mazda Motor Netherlands. On the same date, Mr. Matthias Sileghem (50) will be appointed Managing Director of Mazda Motor Belgium/ Luxembourg. Both Geraldine and Matthias, promoted from inside the organisation, will provide the business leadership and continuity needed in these important roles as Mazda continues to grow its brand and launch its SKYACTIV products.
"Martijn, Geraldine and Matthias are outstanding professionals who have earned the respect of their colleagues and our dealer partners during their careers at Mazda." said Jeff Guyton. "I'm excited to add these individuals to our European leadership team."
The award winning design and technology included in Mazda's new models has made the brand one of the fastest growing in Europe, with sales in the EU region up 25 percent in the first half of 2014. Mazda Corporation recently announced First Quarter operating profits of ¥56.4 billion yen (Apr-Jun'14).
DATED: 27.08.2014
FEED: HA
THE NEW ŠKODA FABIA - CLEVER SMALL CAR WITH A SPACIOUS INTERIOR
- New ŠKODA Fabia: functional and full of emotion; compact outer dimensions, generous interior
- Perfect everyday companion: spacious, practical, clever and nimble
- Largest boot capacity within its class: 330 litres; 17 ‘Simply Clever' features
Mladá Boleslav, 26 August 2014 - The new ŠKODA Fabia not only impresses with its emotionally-charged design; the car is also cleverer and more practical than ever before. The new model has enough space for 5 occupants and their luggage, yet thanks to its compact footprint, it is extremely agile and nimble. The boot is the largest within the small car segment. In typical ŠKODA style, the new Fabia has a total of 17 ‘Simply Clever' features, nine of which are new.
"The new ŠKODA Fabia is a real champion in terms of practicality, offering a wide variety of opportunities for use - it is the ideal car for modern yet practical urban mobility and also possesses the perfect combination of functionality and emotionally-rich design," says Dr Frank Welsch, ŠKODA Board Member for Technical Development.
The ŠKODA Fabia provides lots of space for occupants and their luggage. The interior passenger space is slightly longer and larger than in the previous model and at the same time provides the driver and passengers with increased headroom. Although the new ŠKODA Fabia is 8 mm shorter than its predecessor, its interior length has increased by around 8 mm to 1,674 mm. Elbow room is also greater at 1,401 mm (21 mm longer) at the front and 1,386 mm (2 mm longer) at the rear.
The boot is the largest within the car's segment. The luggage compartment in the new ŠKODA Fabia has a capacity of 330 litres, which is 15 litres more than the previous model and is considerably bigger than comparable competitors' models. With the rear seats folded down, loading capacity increases to up to 1,150 litres. A spacious rear access width of 1,098 mm, a tailgate that swings open to 1,915 mm and a low sill height make loading easier. The loading area is 960 mm wide, which is 2 cm wider than the previous generation.
‘Simply Clever' - the new ŠKODA Fabia fits the bill perfectly. Depending on spec, up to nine new ‘Simply Clever' features are available for the new ŠKODA Fabia.
The new Fabia is the first ŠKODA to feature MirrorLinkTM technology. It allows smartphone apps to be displayed on the screen of the infotainment system which, amongst other things, takes the use of navigation software or personal music files to a new level. Connection is quick and easy. Just connect the smartphone to the Bolero system via a USB cable, select and activate MirrorLinkTM mode on the radio and MirrorLinkTM- certified apps will be mirrored on the infotainment system's display.
The new Fabia now features an ice scraper in the fuel filler cap. The new multimedia device cradle in the centre console is the perfect place to store a mobile phone, smartphone or an iPod. The high-vis vest, now mandatory in many countries, has a convenient dedicated storage compartment in the driver's door. A rubbish bin is available for the side door. Storage nets on the inside edges of the front seats will hold miscellaneous small items. The new ŠKODA Fabia also provides more space for drinks bottles. Both rear doors will now hold a 0.5-litre bottle and a 1.0-litre bottle will fit in the glove compartment. Therefore, the ŠKODA Fabia now offers space for up to seven bottles: one bottle in each of the front and rear doors, the glove compartment and two bottles in the centre console.
The new ŠKODA Fabia also offers further ‘Simply Clever' features that proved valuable in the car's second generation, including the standard parking ticket holder on the inside of the left-hand A-pillar and the two optional bag hooks in the boot. Two storage nets are also available as an option for the boot to keep the area tidy. The hat shelf can be left in its normal position, but can also serve as horizontal partition or be stored vertically behind the rear seats. In addition, an optional flexible storage compartment for the boot will hold miscellaneous objects in place. Another ‘Simply Clever' feature is the corner light function of the fog lamps.
DATED: 27.08.2014
FEED: HA
