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Mazda CX-5 gifted "Japan Car of the Year" award
Surprisingly, the expected close battle between this year’s two most highly anticipated cars – Mazda’s CX-5 and the Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ – did not eventuate

Jaguar Land Rover opens 100th operational dealership in China
Jaguar Land Rover has increased its dealer network in China by almost 200% since 2010. It has invested in its infrastructure in China to support

JLR appoints new importer and distributor in Indonesia
PT GAD, a joint venture between Wearnes Automotive group and Mr. Hadi Widjaja Tanaga, has been the official importer for Jaguar in Indonesia since 2000.

Tenth anniversary celebrations for Sofico Services Australia
Belgium-based Sofico first opened an Australian office in Sydney in 2002 in response to demand from a growing Australian fleet and leasing market. Today, the

Renault and KONE agree fleet supply deal beginning 2013
KONE selected Renault for its wide product line-up including the electric vehicles, the total cost of ownership of its products, and the sales network quality

Nissan ready to roll-out the next generation of taxis in Barcelona
The presentation of the new Barcelona NV200 taxi, which took place alongside the future model to be used in New York, was attended by Xavier

Arval’s MotorTrade used car platform reaches 200,000 sale
Launched in 2009, MotorTrade (www.motortrade.arval.com) had already sold 100,000 cars by the end of August 2011 and has reinforced its meteoric success by doubling sales

GM Financial to Acquire Ally Financial’s International Automotive Financing Operations
‘GM is entering the most aggressive rollout of new vehicles in its history and this acquisition will make us an even more formidable competitor by

Latest European new car sales show signs of hope
According to the latest analysis from JATO Dynamics, Europe’s new car sales declined by 4.6% in October, and 7.2% year-to-date compared to last year. Great

Ford signs largest-ever plug-in electrified vehicle fleet deal with GE
The addition of the Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrids – the largest ever plug-in electrified vehicle deal for the carmaker – will bring GE’s total

JLR to demonstrate "Best of British" at LA International Automobile Show
‘This year’s Los Angeles Auto show is one of the most significant U.S. shows in years for Jaguar Land Rover as we introduce three breakthrough

Toyota focus future transport strategy on accident and road-death prevention
It also has announced the opening of a new proving ground for testing Integrated Transport Systems (ITS) that use radio communications between vehicles, road infrastructure

GM Chairman Dan Akerson strengthens commitment to Opel
Akerson referred to the continuing and difficult economic climate in Europe. However, at the same time he underscored the need and determination to return Opel

Opel Fleet embarks on growth strategy for commercial vehicles
Internal restructuring at Opel’s European headquarters near Frankfurt has brought the responsibility for commercial vehicles into Opel’s international fleet team. Ian Hucker, Opel’s director of

Volvo increases production of all-new V60 Plug-in Hybrid ahead of 2013 launch
The assembly of the world's first diesel plug-in hybrid has been successfully integrated on the same production line as the regular powered V60, V70,

Jaguar and Chery begin joint venture with new manufacturing facility
The two companies recently received formal approval from the Chinese Government for their joint venture and now have a licence to manufacture Jaguar Land Rover

Banco Santander chooses Hyundai as key fleet supplier
The vehicles will be delivered over the next two years. By the end of 2012, 300 units will have been delivered through the Hyundai dealer

Citroen DS3 reaches 200,000 production mark at Poissy plant
DS3 was launched in Europe in March 2010, followed by Russia later that year, Argentina in 2011, Brazil in the first half of this year

Kia Motors Europe appoints new COO
Based in Frankfurt, Germany, Cole takes up the role relinquished by Paul Philpott in July when he returned to the UK as the first non-Korean

Poll: Europeans committed to car ownership despite other growing concerns
Ford commissioned the survey conducted by “The Futures Company,” to better understand the opinions and attitudes of Europeans across a range of mobility issues –

EMEA appoints new chief operating officer
'I want to express my sincere appreciation for the unwavering dedication and service to Fiat and Fiat Industrial that Gianni has exhibited over the many

Nissan boosted by fleet sales growth
The Qashqai is Nissan’s best fleet seller at 19,309 units with Juke more than doubling sales year on year to 8,965 units. Add in Qashqai+2

Dacia announces pricing and specification for all-new Logan
The next equipment level ('Ambiance') also features remote central locking, a 60/40-split folding rear bench seat and electric front windows, as well as the Dacia Plug&Radio (radio-CD,

Coca-Cola to field test Nissans e-VN200 prior to launch
Coca-Cola’s regional organization, Coca-Cola Central Japan Co., Ltd., will use Nissan’s multipurpose commercial van as regional sales vehicle in Yokohama, evaluating its performance and practical

Mazda6 app launched in Europe
The easy-to-use mobile showroom allows customers to try out the selection of exterior colours, alloy wheels and interior upholstery available on both the sedan and

Mazda to Produce Toyota Vehicle at Mexico Plant
The sub-compact Toyota-brand vehicle, to be based on the Mazda2, is to start production around the summer of 2015 at a pace of 50,000 units

Ford Ranger wins "International Pick-Up Award 2013"
Every member of the judging panel ranked the new Ranger as their number one choice; praising its performance on- and off-road, strong engine line-up, payload

Record results for Ferrari over first nine months of 2012
As of September 30th, Ferrari has recorded unprecedented revenues of 1,764m euro (+10%) andnumbers of cars delivered to the dealership network 5,267 (+6%). Trading profits increased by 9.6% to 232.8m

JLR record strong Q2 results
The positive result in the second quarter reflects a 29% increase in retail sales volumes (84,749 vehicles in total) globally. The company has generated revenues

Fleet Focus – Autorola
Like so many other European countries, the French new car market is depressed and the number of used cars coming into the market has reduced

Automotive miracle or myth?
Background On the eve of this year’s Paris Auto Salon, French industrial renewal minister Arnaud Montebourg accused Hyundai and Kia of ‘dumping’ cars in Europe

Hanover launch bonanza for new CVs
Ford Transit Connect Making its first appearance at the show was Ford’s Transit Connect upgrade. Not available until later next year, the Connect range drops

The pick of Paris
Volkswagen The seventh-generation Golf will be home to a wide range of fuel-saving technology, starting with a new and more efficient version of the 1.6

New Renault Symbol to make first public debut at Istanbul Motor Show
New Renault Symbol customers will be able to specify the new TCe 90 petrol engine. The fuel consumption of this 90-horsepower power plant is just

Mercedes-Benz Distribution Vehicles
SECTOR Light Truck PRICE Canter list price + €8,500 FUEL 3.8-6.6l/100km CO2 99-152g/km Mercedes-Benz has introduced a host of new and improved vehicles specifically

Volkswagen Golf
SECTOR Lower medium PRICE €16,975 – €28,825 FUEL 3.8 – 5.3l/100km CO2 99-123g/km Ageless, classless and robust, six generations and 38 years of the Volkswagen

Successful Q3 for Fiat Group
Group revenues were up 16% (+9% at constant exchange rates) over the prior year to €20.4bn, with NAFTA growing by 38% (+22% at constant exchange

ALD Automotive and Wheels expand global reach in Asia-Pacific region
The alliance with FleetPartners provides ALD Automotive with crucial local support for its large international clients with operations in the emerging Asia-Pacific region. FleetPartners has

SsangYong Korando
SECTOR Compact 4×4 PRICE from €23,300 – €24,500 (approx) FUEL 6.20l/100km CO2 157g/km SsangYong has responded to both dealer and customer demand by creating

Exclusive First Drive: Tesla Model S
Sector: Large executive Price: €TBC Range: 250-500km CO2: 0g/km Tesla may be a newcomer to the corporate sector, but it’s got a great spearhead. The Model

Mazda6
SECTOR Upper medium PRICE €24,990 – €34,000 FUEL 3.9 – 5.9l/100km CO2 104 – 136g/km For a relatively small manufacturer, Mazda’s disproportionately large back-catalogue

Arval opens new entity in China
Ran by Mathias de Toldi, formerly General Manager of Arval Morocco, the opening of this new Chinese entity signals Arval’s arrival in a market with

Volkswagen Group confirms goals for rest of 2012
‘Although the times aren’t easy, it’s up to us to continue systematically along our chosen path – the right path. We therefore remain committed to

Ford to reshape European manufacturing operations
Ford announced its plans to end production at a major production plant in Genk, Belgium, by the end of 2014, pending the outcome of a

When will sustainable economic recovery really begin?
One current challenge is to agree what is economic growth. On the one hand it may be an improvement in GDP; or a growth in

The BMW Group targets Brazil manufacturing facility
‘We welcome the new framework for investments in Brazil, based on the recently adopted “Inovar Auto” legislation. We have submitted an investment proposal for our

Nearly 100,000 drivers detected in European police seatbelt operation
Of the final total of 97,489 detections, 3539 related to children not wearing seatbelts or other safety restraints. The remaining 93,950 offences related to adult

Volvo Car Group appoints new president & chief executive officer
'I see major opportunities for Volvo Cars to improve profitability, and accelerate our growth plan in China specifically. I am convinced that Håkan Samuelsson's thorough

All-new Hyundai i30 Tourer awarded 5* Euro NCAP safety rating
In tests carried out by Hyundai, overseen and approved by Euro NCAP, the New Generation i30 Tourer received a class-leading 90% in the "child occupant"

Rolls-Royce opens first Latin-American showroom
The new 500 square metre showroom has been designed to provide discerning clientele with a relaxing atmosphere in which to commission their motor car. The

French postpone proposed breathalyser fines
All drivers in France, including motorcyclists, are now required to carry a breathalyser kit and the €11 fine is will be applicable to all road