Thursday, February 05, 2015
VINCENT KINNER SET TO RETIRE FROM VOLKSWAGEN GROUP UK
Volkswagen Group UK Limited is preparing to bid farewell to one of its longest-serving employees and ‘father of fleet' Vincent Kinner, who will be retiring from the business at the end of March.
Kinner, who since December 2012 has held the role of Head of Group Fleet Services, overseeing the back-office operations of the fleet departments of the five Volkswagen Group UK brands - Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Commercial Vehicles, Audi, SEAT and ŠKODA - has worked for the Group for 42 years.
His career began outside the motor industry, managing a chain of jewellers, but in 1972 he joined Walter Scott in Finchley, managing retail sales before moving the following year to Volkswagen Tax Free Sales in Baker Street, London as an Account Executive. Here he sold cars to HM Forces, Diplomats and UK companies working on capital projects overseas.
As a National Account Manager and still at Baker Street, Kinner helped start Volkswagen Fleet in 1983. In 1989 he took over responsibility for all tax free UK fleet sales and used cars disposal for both Audi and Volkswagen. The Fleet operation moved from Baker Street to Newport Pagnell to a purpose-built site and Volkswagen Leasing was also started at this time.
In 1994 the Audi and Volkswagen brands separated, and Kinner started Volkswagen Fleet as the National Sales Manager. In 1996 he became Head of Volkswagen Fleet, with sole responsibility for the Volkswagen fleet strategy. He remained in this role until December 2012. During this time, Volkswagen was transformed from a relatively small fleet player into number one in true fleet, with the product line-up expanding from just nine to 19 cars.
Commenting on Kinner's departure, Managing Director of Volkswagen Group UK, Paul Willis, said: ‘Vince's transformation of Volkswagen Fleet Services was nothing short of spectacular. His understanding of the brand, the fleet market and the importance of the highest quality people as well as high quality products established Volkswagen as the leader in true fleet sales in the UK. Since moving to a Group-wide role in 2012 he has set up a successful five-brand fleet contact centre and set in train a suite of processes which will allow the Group to remain a serious contender in all fleet markets for many years to come.'
Kinner added: ‘I'm sad to be leaving the Volkswagen Group as it has been a part of my life for so long. I've witnessed the launch of many new cars, made many new friends and signed many fleet deals. I wish my colleagues and the Group all the very best for continuing success in the future.'
In 2014, the Volkswagen Group sold a record number of new vehicles, and broke the half a million sales barrier in November.
A successor for Vincent Kinner will be announced in due course.
DATED: 05.02.15
FEED: HA
SCOTLAND NEEDS POLICIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE THAT RECOGNISES FREIGHT CHALLENGES
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has told the Scottish Parliament that it needs policies and infrastructure investment that recognises Scottish freight challenges.
Taking part in the ‘Inquiry into freight transport in Scotland’ today, the FTA outlined how Scotland’s rail, road, air and sea freight routes to the rest of the UK, to Europe and worldwide should be improved, and identified the main infrastructure and policy obstacles to the free flow of freight, whether carried by rail, road, air or sea.
FTA’s Chris MacRae Head of Policy Scotland said:
“FTA has outlined the need in Scotland for policies and infrastructure investment that recognises specific freight challenges and support Scottish business using the supply chains available. Specifically this means investing in order to make the necessary improvements for both rail and road freight infrastructure. It also means cross border linkage with the Strategic Rail Freight Fund schemes; Road Investment Strategy Schemes in England and Scottish policy support for increased hub airport capacity in the South East of England which Scotland would link to.”
In its submission to the Inquiry FTA raised the issue that there remain serious imbalances in freight traffic flows to and from Scotland across all transport modes. This undoubtedly inhibits the development of direct freight services to and from the country.
Mr MacRae added:
“It is important to ensure that the proper logistics and infrastructure links for the Scottish economy are in place to enable it to trade and compete with UK, European and global markets.”
Also giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament Committee alongside the FTA at the ‘Inquiry into freight transport in Scotland’ were representatives from the British Ports Association, Road Haulage Association and the Rail Freight Group.
FTA’s Chris MacRae Head of Policy Scotland said:
“FTA has outlined the need in Scotland for policies and infrastructure investment that recognises specific freight challenges and support Scottish business using the supply chains available. Specifically this means investing in order to make the necessary improvements for both rail and road freight infrastructure. It also means cross border linkage with the Strategic Rail Freight Fund schemes; Road Investment Strategy Schemes in England and Scottish policy support for increased hub airport capacity in the South East of England which Scotland would link to.”
In its submission to the Inquiry FTA raised the issue that there remain serious imbalances in freight traffic flows to and from Scotland across all transport modes. This undoubtedly inhibits the development of direct freight services to and from the country.
Mr MacRae added:
“It is important to ensure that the proper logistics and infrastructure links for the Scottish economy are in place to enable it to trade and compete with UK, European and global markets.”
Also giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament Committee alongside the FTA at the ‘Inquiry into freight transport in Scotland’ were representatives from the British Ports Association, Road Haulage Association and the Rail Freight Group.
DATED: 05.02.15
FEED: HA
HYUNDAI UK EMBARKS ON NATIONWIDE DEALERSHIP REBRAND
- Hyundai reveals first UK dealerships to feature new global identity
- New concept features warm bronze exterior tones, airy and sophisticated interior
- Every UK dealers to feature new look by the end of 2017, all 6,000 global dealers by 2018
High Wycombe: Hyundai Motor UK has revealed the first UK dealerships to feature the company’s new global dealer branding. The significant change reflects the advances in design and quality of the company’s vehicles and will further position the dealer network for the brand’s next phase of growth.
Reinforcing Hyundai’s commitment to delivering exceptional levels of customer service, the new identity goes further than the traditional car showroom. It combines open space, modern furnishings and the latest technology to deliver an enhanced customer experience.
Referred to as the ‘Global Dealership Space Identity’ (GDSI), the end result features extensive use of glass, premium ceramic floors, uncluttered and sophisticated furniture and, perhaps most notably, bold exterior signage. As well as the new exterior signage, flagship dealerships will feature extensive bronze exterior cladding ensuring a highly distinctive appearance.
Tony Whitehorn, President & CEO, Hyundai Motor UK said: “With new-look GDSI dealerships, Hyundai will not only offer customers a space where they buy or service their vehicle, but also a space to personally experience the Hyundai brand. Warm, modern and premium, the new look provides a strong foundation for delivering industry leading customer service as we work towards future sales growth in the UK.”
In total, 14 dealerships have already implemented the new look with the entire dealer network to follow over the coming months - all UK dealerships will complete the transformation by the end of 2017. Worldwide, Hyundai Motor expects all 6,000 dealerships to feature the new identity by 2018.
Vantage Hyundai Stockport is most recent dealership to unveil the new appearance to customers. Speaking of the new look, Paul Sharp, Centre Principal, commented: “We are extremely proud of the new look GDSI appearance which we have unveiled at Vantage Stockport. The new appearance exemplifies the quality and professionalism which we aim to deliver for all of our customers, and takes the Hyundai experience to a new level.”
DATED: 05.02.15
FEED: HA
RENAULT-NISSAN ALLIANCE SALES RISE FOR FIFTH STRAIGHT YEAR IN 2014 TO 8.5 MILLION VEHICLES
- Sales higher amid rising sales in the United States and Western Europe
- Alliance sales, including AVTOVAZ, account for one in 10 cars sold worldwide
- Alliance remains global leader in zero-emission vehicles; EV sales up 24 percent
Paris: The Renault-Nissan Alliance sold a record 8,470,610 vehicles in 2014 amid rising sales in the United States and Western Europe.
Sales rose for the fifth straight year, up 2.5 percent compared with the previous year. Together, Renault, Nissan and AVTOVAZ, Russia's largest automaker, account for one in 10 cars sold worldwide.
"Robust demand in the United States, the recovery in Western Europe and an array of compelling new models contributed to another year of rising sales for the Alliance in 2014," said Carlos Ghosn, Alliance Chairman and CEO. "We remain well-positioned and optimistic about the long-term prospects in the global growth markets, despite the recent declines in Russia and Brazil."
Renault SAS, Europe's third-largest automaker, sold 2,712,432 vehicles worldwide in 2014, up 3.2 percent from 2013. In Western Europe, Renault sales totaled 1,464,611, up 12.5 percent, more than double the overall market. Renault's market share in Europe reached 10 percent, up 0.6 percentage points. Dacia was Europe's fastest-growing brand, gaining 0.4 percentage points of market share.
Renault sales outside Western Europe fell 5.9 percent to 1,247,821 vehicles due to the economic slowdown in many of its markets. Despite the slowdown, Renault posted its highest market share ever in Brazil and Russia, its second and third largest markets after France.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., sold a record 5,310,064 cars and trucks worldwide, up 4.1 percent. Nissan continued to sell more than 1 million vehicles in its two largest markets, the United States and China.
AVTOVAZ sold 448,114 vehicles, down 16.3 percent due to the overall market slowdown in Russia. The Renault-Nissan Alliance has a majority stake in AVTOVAZ, which sells cars under the LADA brand, through a joint venture with state corporation Rostec. Together, the Renault-Nissan Alliance and AVTOVAZ sell about one in three cars in Russia.
Renault-Nissan market highlights
The Alliance's top 10 markets in 2014 were the United States, China, Russia, Japan, France, Mexico, Brazil, UK, Germany and Italy.
In China, the world's largest auto market, Nissan, through its local partner Dongfeng Motor, sold 1,221,598 vehicles, up 0.5 percent. Nissan is the leading Japanese carmaker in China with a 5.5 percent market share. In 2016, Renault will start producing vehicles in China with Nissan's long-term partner Dongfeng Motor. The new joint venture plant in Wuhan will have an initial production capacity of 150,000 vehicles a year, with the potential to double that figure in the future.
In the United States, Nissan sold a record 1,386,895 vehicles, up 11.1 percent, resulting in a record market share of 8.4 percent. Nissan also set annual sales records for Altima, Rogue, Versa, Juke, NV200 and the 100 percent electric Nissan LEAF.
Despite the economic downturn in Russia, the Alliance posted a market share of 30.7 percent, up 1.1 percentage points. AVTOVAZ sold 387,307 vehicles in Russia, down 15 percent. AVTOVAZ's market share stood at 15.5 percent, down 0.9 percentage points. Renault sold 194,531 vehicles, down 7.4 percent, but its market share grew to a record 7.9 percent, up 0.3 percentage points, thanks to the success of the Duster SUV and the successful launch of three new models: New Logan, New Sandero and Sandero Stepway. Nissan sold 182,412 vehicles, up 17.7 percent. Nissan held a market share of 7.3 percent, up 1.8 percentage points.
In Japan, Nissan's home market, Nissan sold 670,263 vehicles, down 1.3 percent. Nissan's market share stood at 12 percent.
In France, Renault's home market, Renault sold 577,601 vehicles, up 5.5 percent. Its market share totaled 26.6 percent, up 1.3 percentage points. Clio was the best-selling car in the market, while Captur was the best-selling crossover.
In Mexico, Nissan posted record sales of 293,204 vehicles, up 10.9 percent, outpacing the overall industry. Nissan is the number one brand in Mexico with a market share of 25.8 percent.
In Brazil, Renault sold 237,187 vehicles, up 0.3 percent. Renault's market share stood at a record 7.1 percent.
Zero-emission highlights
The Renault-Nissan Alliance sold 82,602 electric vehicles in 2014, up 24 percent compared with previous year, giving it a global market share of 56 percent. Nissan LEAF was the world's best-selling EV with 61,507 sales, while Renault led in Europe with 17,813 sales.
The Alliance has sold a cumulative 217,365 electric vehicles worldwide since December 2010, when Nissan LEAF - the first mass-marketed Alliance EV - went on sale. The top markets for Nissan LEAF are the United States with 72,322 vehicles sold since its launch, Japan with 48,641 sales and Europe with 33,481 sales. Meanwhile, Renault has sold a cumulative 56,499 electric vehicles worldwide since its first EV, the Kangoo Z.E., went on sale in October 2011.
The Alliance sells about one out of two electric vehicles worldwide, including Twizy, Renault's two-seater urban commuter vehicle and the Nissan e-NV200 van on sale in Europe and Japan since 2014.
Top 10 Alliance Markets
Country
|
Total Sales
|
Market Share
|
U.S.
|
1,386,895
|
8.4%
|
China
|
1,255,665
|
5.7%
|
Russia*
|
764,245
|
30.7%
|
Japan
|
674,922
|
12.1%
|
France
|
653,326
|
30.2%
|
Mexico
|
318,093
|
28%
|
Brazil
|
309,547
|
9.3%
|
UK
|
259,762
|
9.3%
|
Germany
|
240,181
|
7.4%
|
Italy
|
184,416
|
12.5%
|
*Including AVTOVAZ
Top 10 Renault Markets
Country
|
Total Sales
|
Market Share
|
France
|
577,601
|
26.6%
|
Brazil
|
237,187
|
7.1%
|
Russia
|
194,531
|
7.9%
|
Germany
|
173,479
|
5.3%
|
Turkey
|
133,212
|
17.4%
|
Italy
|
130,996
|
8.9%
|
Spain
|
127,666
|
13.2%
|
UK
|
109,014
|
3.9%
|
Algeria
|
91,800
|
26.9%
|
Argentina
|
84,946
|
12.9%
|
Top 10 Nissan Markets
Country
|
Total Sales
|
Market Share
|
U.S.
|
1,386,895
|
8.4%
|
China*
|
1,221,598
|
5.5%
|
Japan
|
670,263
|
12.0%
|
Mexico
|
293,204
|
25.8%
|
Russia
|
182,412
|
7.3%
|
UK
|
150,748
|
5.4%
|
Canada
|
115,445
|
6.2%
|
France
|
75,725
|
3.6%
|
Brazil
|
72,360
|
2.2%
|
Germany
|
66,702
|
2.1%
|
*Including Venucia brand
About the Renault-Nissan Alliance
The Renault-Nissan Alliance is a strategic partnership between Paris-based Renault and Yokohama, Japan-based Nissan, which together sell one in 10 cars worldwide. The companies, which have been strategic partners since 1999, sold 8.5 million vehicles in nearly 200 countries in 2014. In addition to AVTOVAZ, the Alliance operates strategic collaborations with automakers including Germany's Daimler, Japan's Mitsubishi, China's Dongfeng, and India's Ashok Leyland.
DATED: 05.02.15
FEED: HA
Wednesday, February 04, 2015
BENTLEY BOY SPIRIT IN PARIS
- The extraordinary “Blue Train” car to appear at Rétromobile 2015
- The 1930 Bentley 6½ Litre Speed Six with Gurney Nutting coachwork, starts its 85th anniversary in style
Crewe: Bentley Motors is delighted to announce that the legendary Speed Six Bentley known as The Blue Train will celebrate the start of its 85th anniversary with an exclusive first appearance at the Rétromobile Exhibition this week in Paris (Hall 1, Stand P43).
In 1930, Captain Woolf Barnato, Chairman of Bentley Motors, and also a true “Bentley Boy” having entered and won the Le Mans 24 hours three times, was staying in Cannes at the Carlton Hotel with his golfer friend, Dale Bourn. He accepted a wager that he could not only beat the Blue Train to Calais, as had been done before, but could be at his club in London before the train reached Calais.
On the day of the race, he finished his drink in the bar at the Carlton hotel when he heard the train had departed at 17.54. He had arranged for fuel stations to remain open through the night in Aix-En-Provence and Lyon, and a tanker lorry in Auxerre, and despite a puncture near Paris, he reached Boulogne with an hour to spare. He arrived at the Conservative Club in St James, London for a celebratory drink having passed the clock at Victoria Railway Station at 15.30 the next day, four minutes before the train was due to arrive in Calais, having averaged 43.43 mph driving on pre-motorway roads. He won the £100 wager, although the Automotive Club de France attempted to fine him £200 for an un-authorised race in France.
Richard Charlesworth, Head of the Bentley Heritage Collection, comments: “We are most grateful to Bruce McCaw for the loan of his legendary Bentley Speed Six. There are many exciting plans for the car to mark its 85th anniversary, including a recreation of the original run from Cannes to London.”
The Speed Six evolved in 1929 as a racing version of the 6½ Litre, introduced in 1926. The first car raced as No 1 at Le Mans in 1929 where it won, and returned as ‘Old No 1’ to win again in 1930. A total of 182 Speed Sixes were built between 1929 – 1930 with a variety of body styles and types from several coachbuilders. Speed Six Chassis No HM 2855 was delivered to Bentley Chairman Woolf Barnato by Coachbuilder Gurney Nutting in May 1930. Barnato had many Bentleys personally commissioned to suit his requirements, all were bespoke, ‘one off’ vehicles.
In recent years evidence has come to light that suggests that although the car appeared in the Terence Cuneo painting of the race, it may be that it was in fact another Speed Six with a Mulliner Saloon body, also owned by Barnato, that actually accomplished the feat. It remains a mystery, the truth will never be known for sure, but this unique car remains one of the most striking, stylish and famous vintage Bentleys from that era.
Introduction first registered May 1930
Body Gurney Nutting Speed Six
Engine 6-cylinders, in-line; front; 100 mm x 140 mm, 6597 cc; compr 5.3:1; 180 bhp (134.23 kW) @ 3500 rpm; 27.8 bhp (20.34 kW)/L
Engine Structure 4-valves, double springs; 8-bearing camshaft, 3-throw coupling rod drive; cast iron cylinder block with stainless steel jacket plates; single port block; 2 vertical HVG5 SU carburettors; two champion plugs per cylinder; Bosch magneto and Delco-Remy coil; Autovac fuel system; 8‑bearing camshaft, with damper; water-cooled
Transmission rear wheel drive; sdp clutch; 4-speed C-Type gearbox, right hand change; spiral bevel final drive 3.53:1
Chassis pressed steel frame 0.188 in (4.77 mm), 7 cross-members; semi‑elliptic leaf springs; Bentley and Draper friction dampers; self-wrapping, Dewandre servo mechanical brakes, front Bentley-Perrot; 15.75 in (40 cm) drums; worm and sector steering; 25 gal (113.6 1) fuel tank; Dunlop tyres 21 x 6.00, rear 21 x 7.00; Rudge-Whitworth centre lock wire wheels
Dimensions wheelbase 140.5 in (356.87 cm), track 56 in (142.2 cm), length 187 in (474.9 cm), width 68.5 in (173.99 cm), ground clearance 7.25 in (18.4 cm), turning circle 47.5 ft (14.5 m)
Equipment Smith & Jaeger instruments, white figures black faces, German silver parallel-sided radiator shell; Green Label badges. Zeiss headlamps; Bosch electrics; Hobson fuel telegauge; brake vacuum gauge
Performance maximum speed 92 mph (147.7 km/h) – 100 mph (160.9 km/h), fuel consumption 15 mpg (18.83 l/100 km)
Price Chassis £1800
Production 1
DATED: 04.02.15
FEED: HA
