The Western European passenger car market is said to have grown by 10.3% y/y during March, according to IHS Markit forecasts.
The different timing of Easter between 2016 and 2017 has been a big driver to the growth during March, but other factors in key markets have also come into play and IHS Markit is forecasting a slowdown and a consolidation of Western Europe’s market in 2017, with full-year sales rising by 1.0% to about 14.17 million units.
BMW MINI, Rolls-Royce and engine/ components plant workers will begin a series of eight strikes over three weeks from 19 April.
The UNITE members are in dispute with the car maker over plans to close it final salary pension scheme.
Two Opel plants in Germany will get new models as promised, securing their midterm future following PSA Group’s acquisition of the automaker from General Motors.
Opel will build a large SUV at its home factory in Ruesselsheim near Frankfurt, starting in 2020, and the plant in Eisenach, eastern Germany, will produce a successor to the Mokka X subcompact SUV starting in 2019.
The Ford EcoSport SUV will be built in Craiova, Romania for European markets, ending the import of models from India.
With a €200 M investment in the new assembly lines, Ford will hire 1,000 new workers to join the 2,700 already there making models and engines.
PSA is re-entering the US market it left in 1991.
It will emphasise technology in its expected 10 year plan to introduce new models, but its not said which of the models will spearhead the drive since the French car maker acquired the GM Opel badge in February.
For over 20 years, Subaru customers have loved the technical supremacy of the STI range of vehicles and to enhance that proposition, WRX STI will be available with mobile WiFi from EE until the end of June.
The mobile in car system allows multiple devices to be connected to WiFi on the move with 30GB download allowance and a large enough battery for 24 hours of streaming, perfect for keeping road trip passengers entertained and in addition, WRX STI is even more affordable with a new PCP deal at £3,999 deposit and a monthly payment of £399 over 48 months at 6.6% APR.
Audi is writing a new chapter in its lightweight design success story.
For the next generation of the Audi A8, an intelligent mix of four materials is being used for the first time in the weight-bearing body structure – more materials than in any of the brand’s previous production models.
Motoring industry charity Ben has been listed as one of the five charities currently most popular for receiving payroll giving donations.
Jools Tait, Business Development Director, said, “This is testament to the ongoing support we receive from our industry. We would like to say thank you to everyone who supports Ben in this way, without you we couldn’t continue our work.”