Corporate Business

MG Motor UK is delighted to announce three new senior management appointments as part of its strategic drive to significantly increase sales volumes and develop its dealer network in the UK. Daniel Gregorious joins as the new Head of Sales and Marketing, bringing over 20 years’ experience in the automotive industry, having held senior sales, planning and marketing roles at Renault, Chevrolet, Kia Motors, and Peugeot. One of Daniel’s first appointments welcomes experienced automotive PR, Carly Escritt, in the role of PR and Events Manager. Carly brings with her over 15 years’ experience in the automotive industry, having worked with Kia Motors for 13 years. Her extensive knowledge of the industry, as well as organizing and overseeing national and international events, along with her ability to cultivate brand reputation amongst journalists, will help MG to continue its development and increase its market […]

Jaguar Land Rover reported total retail sales of 52,049 vehicles in June 2018, up 0.9% year on year, primarily reflecting the introduction of the Range Rover Velar and the Jaguar E-PACE. Retail sales for June were up year-on-year in our Overseas markets (16.7%), in North America (7.4%) and in the UK (0.9%)  China was down 9.5% as the reduction in import duties on passenger vehicles, starting 1 July, continued to result in deferred purchases as well as increased incentives in advance of the 1 July effective date.  Europe was also down slightly (- 3.8%).

Aston Martin is today presenting the Volante Vision Concept, a luxury concept aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities. Produced in partnership with Cranfield University, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions, and Rolls-Royce, the concept aircraft aims to bring luxury personal transportation to the sky. The Volante Vision Concept is a demonstration of Aston Martin’s design ingenuity. With room for three adults, the concept is a near future study that previews a flying autonomous hybrid-electric vehicle for urban and inter-city air travel, providing fast, efficient and congestion free luxurious travel. The Volante Vision Concept will take full advantage of the latest advances in aerospace, electrification and autonomous technologies, coupled with Aston Martin’s signature design. 

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has enjoyed a strong start to 2018, with the marque seeing a significant boost to global sales.Worldwide sales were up 13 percent compared with the same period in 2017, with demand for all Rolls-Royce models holding firm in Europe, the US, and other key regions. There are encouraging signs of recovery in the Chinese market; like all luxury brands, however, the marque faces continued economic headwinds in the Middle East.

The following statement has been issued by Aston Martin in regards to the current climate of uncertainty surrounding Brexit and the British automotive industry. This comes only days after Ralf Speth of JLR issued a statement requesting clarity regarding the economic issues surrounding Brexit. The statement from Aston Martin reads: As an industry that makes long-term investment and employment decisions, the Automotive sector needs clarity and certainty across the planning landscape. Over the past few months this clarity has been lacking, but today we are greatly encouraged to see the Prime Minister and her Cabinet come to a consensus on the UK’s future trading relationship with the EU, which addresses both the concerns of industry, whilst respecting the result of the EU Referendum. As a global company, Aston Martin Lagonda naturally advocates a free trade environment and as such, we […]

Rolls-Royce has appointed Melanie Evans as Head of Sales Channel Development & Customer Relations from 1 August 2018. She will be based at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, West Sussex. Evans joined Rolls-Royce in 2011, initially as Dealer Marketing & Digital Manager, progressing to Head of Commercial Development and then her current role as Head of Bespoke Sales and Marketing. Her new position incorporates a number of unique functions, including running the company’s Private Office.

This is a serious project, and it is for a good cause, but it still might strike some (ok, us) as funny. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced that construction of a major development for the company is now underway. The district’s largest employer is building a new gated parking area on land adjacent to the manufacturing plant and head office, creating an additional 500 parking spaces. The development includes a dedicated car park for The March CE Primary School, located close to the entrance of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, including a ‘kiss and drop-off area’ and 40 parking spaces. The school car park incorporates a new road crossing, also funded by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in the absence of local authority funding. The development has received overwhelming support from local residents, Chichester District Council and Chichester MP, Gillian Keegan.

Jaguar Land Rover has strengthened its commitment to the armed forces with the donation of two F-TYPE sports cars to Mission Motorsport. The cars will be used by the charity to support the recovery and rehabilitation of ex-service personnel affected by their time in the military. The donation, championed by the armed forces team at the Castle Bromwich manufacturing plant, was made in the run-up to Armed Forces Day on 30 June. It continues Jaguar Land Rover’s relationship with the forces’ motorsport charity established in 2014 with the creation of its Armed Forces Engagement Programme.

According to Cars UK and IPWire, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) sued Bentley Motors earlier this month in Federal District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, over a patent infringement. JLR claims Bentley’s All Terrain Specification used in the new Bentyaga comes with a Drive Dynamics system that offers Snow, Ice, and Wet Grass, Dirt and Gravel, Mud and Trail and Sand Modes – nearly the same as its own Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud and Ruts, Sand, and Rocks modes. As part of the suit, JLR filed a 30-page complaint seeking monetary damages, attorney’s fees, and a permanent injunction against Bentley. Supposedly JLR had spent 2-years trying to get Bentley management to address their issues and complaints about using similar ‘All Terrain Specs’ in the Bentyaga without much success. Cases such as this can be very hard to prove without direct evidence of backward engineering, industrial theft, or some […]

MG Motor UK has already beaten 2017’s new car annual registrations volume, reaching over 4,441 registrations by the 4th July and remaining on course to double its sales volumes in 2018. MG’s significant volume growth is being driven by the fabulous All-New MG ZS compact SUV, which starts from £12,495 OTR and includes a 7-year manufacturer warranty. The MG ZS comes with a high-level of specification as standard, and is also available on a 5-year 0% APR finance deal, making it one of the best value-for-money cars in the UK market today.

McLaren Automotive emerged as the fastest growing luxury automotive brand in the UK following the release of year-to-date car registration figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The British creator of luxury sports cars and supercars recorded an extraordinary 47.73% year-on-year growth and registered 390 vehicles in the first half of 2018. In addition, the brand increased their number of UK retailers to eight with McLaren Hatfield and McLaren Leeds opening doors for business. A new location for the south coast of England is currently under consideration.

MINI Brand Sales For June, MINI USA reported 4,146 vehicles sold, a decrease of 6 percent from the 4,410 sold in the same month a year ago.  MINI sales in June were led by the MINI Countryman (1,471 vehicles).  Year to date, MINI sales remain up 1.9 percent. MINI Pre-Owned Vehicles MINI Certified Pre-Owned sold 1,554 vehicles in June, an increase of 74.6 percent from June 2017. Total MINI Pre-Owned sold 3,435 vehicles in June, an increase of 38.5 percent from June 2017. Note: Press release courtesy of BMW Group.

Jaguar Land Rover today reported June 2018 US sales: Land Rover had its best June sales month ever with 6,982 units, an increase of 21 percent from 5,760 in June 2017; Jaguar sales were 2,353 units, a 20 percent decrease from 2,946 units in June 2017. Jaguar Land Rover total June US sales reached 9,335 units, a seven percent increase from 8,706 units in June 2017.  For the first half of 2018, Jaguar Land Rover U.S. sales are up five percent to 59,566 units. We’re pleased to see Jaguar Land Rover finish the first half of 2018 with another monthly increase, driven by consumer demand for many of our models, including Discovery, Range Rover Velar and E-PACE. — Joe Eberhardt, President and CEO, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC.

Prof. Dr. Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer of Jaguar Land Rover Automotive plc, Britain’s largest vehicle manufacturer, has called on the UK Government to urgently provide post-Brexit certainty for business including guaranteed tariff-free access and frictionless trade with the European Union. Ahead of the publication of a White Paper outlining the Government’s proposed post-Brexit trading relationship with the EU, Dr. Speth said: Jaguar Land Rover’s heart and soul is in the UK. However we, and our partners in the supply chain, face an unpredictable future if the Brexit negotiations do not maintain free and frictionless trade with the EU and unrestricted access to the single market. We urgently need greater certainty to continue to invest heavily in the UK and safeguard our suppliers, customers and 40,000 British-based employees. A bad Brexit deal would cost Jaguar Land Rover more than £1.2bn […]

Jaguar Land Rover is testing smart, connected cars on UK roads to prepare for self-driving cars. The tests on public roads are part of £7.1 million project aimed at creating the UK’s first fully connected infrastructure geared towards self-driving cars. More than 40 miles of the M40, M42, A45, and A46 will benefit from a world-first combination of wireless technologies (DSRC, 3/4G mobile networks, WiFi and fiber optic networks), ensuring vehicles can always be connected to each other and to infrastructure.

Lotus is pleased to announce that Marcus Blake joins the iconic British sports car company as Commercial Director responsible for all sales, marketing, and aftersales activities for Lotus Cars worldwide. Marcus joins at a very important time for the Norfolk based business, which, under Geely and Etika ownership is embarking upon a period of investment and product development to enable Lotus to reach its full potential in the rapidly changing automotive industry.

Aston Martin Lagonda today announces two important new additions to its UK site operations. The Aston Martin Test and Development Centre at Silverstone will become a new hub for prototype vehicle testing, focused on chassis dynamics and high-speed handling. Concurrently announced is the creation of a central London office providing conveniently located space for meetings and events. Commenting on these announcements, Dr Andy Palmer, Aston Martin President and Chief Executive Officer said: The company is now investing for growth across the Aston Martin and Lagonda brands. I am particularly pleased that we can now call Silverstone home for dynamic testing and development.

Today, 21 of Jaguar Land Rover’s inspirational female employees have been recognized as part of Autocar’s ‘Great British Women in the Car Industry’ awards. Women from across the business made up more than one-fifth of the Top 100 list, more than any other British automotive organization. Elizabeth Hill from Product Engineering Quality was the overall winner of the Vehicle Development category following her role leading the successful launch of the 2018 model year Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, including the new plug-in hybrid versions.