Bentley Motors achieved its third best ever year in 2023 with global sales of 13,560 luxury cars.
Around three-quarters of customers went beyond the 46 billion different configurations available from the standard options range to add bespoke content from Bentley’s Mulliner division, representing a 43 per cent rise over 2022, an indication of the desire for truly unique exclusivity in the luxury industry.
The new Hyundai Bayon provides roomy interior and large boot space for style-conscious and practical buyers and has been upgraded with a robust new design, and refreshed interior.
The updated (above) crossover SUV offers features that make it stand out in its segment, including a 10.25-inch digital cluster and multicolour ambient lighting but the UK specification not yet confirmed.
Subaru (UK) Ltd has appointed Lorraine Bishton (below) as its Managing Director.
She has been named three times in the biennial AutoCar Top 100 British Women in the Global Car Industry, started her automotive career with Ford’s credit division before moving to Jaguar Land Rover, holding senior positions in sales strategy and analysis before moving to McLaren Special Operations where she held the position of Sales & Marketing Director.
Specialist leasing company DriveElectric says a small number of manufacturers may hit or exceed the Zero Emissions product mandate of 22% target (Tesla, a company that only sells EVs, being an obvious winner), many manufacturers are likely to fall short of the target because they currently don’t have enough EVs in their model ranges.
There are steep fines of £15,000 for each vehicle within that 22% allocation that isn’t zero emission, but there are also a number of ways that car manufacturers can work around a shortfall in EV sales.
Ford is reducing production of its electric F-150 Lightning pickup because demand is ‘less than anticipated’.
The move is another sign that automakers are being caught by an apparent stall in consumer demand for electric vehicles in markets across the world where they are ramping up EV production plans.
