Monthly Archives: November 2009

Ford Figo shows up for dinner

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Ford Figo

CHENNAI, India – Ford India’s annual fleet customer dinner welcomed a special guest this year, with the cool new Figo making a grand entrance during the event.
To roaring cheers from the audience, the new Figo emerged amidst a flurry of lights, smoke and music. All participants were then invited to the stage for a closer look.
“This car looks smart and will be successful,” said fleet customer Sanjeev Prasa, CEO of LeasePlan India.
Capt. Kamal Bajaj, another Ford fleet customer, and vice president of HR at Axis Bank, agreed, “I’m sure the Figo will do well in India.”
Ford India holds a yearly President’s Dinner to thank fleet customers for their continuing business. This year’s dinner took place in Mumbai on October 30, and was attended by Ford India’s management team and about 50 valued fleet customers from all over India.
During the dinner, Michael Boneham, president and managing director of Ford India, and Nigel Wark, executive director, Marketing, Sales and Service, outlined how the Ford business in India is changing, with Ford Figo driving this transformation. They also discussed how initiatives such as Cost of Ownership are benefiting Indian consumers.
After the presentation of mementos to key fleet customers, in appreciation of their long-standing support for the Ford brand in India, Ford management had an opportunity to have informal one-on-one discussions with the attendees.
”This annual gathering provides us with a chance to really get to know our fleet customers better, and gain a greater understanding of their needs,” said Boneham. ”With our exciting new Figo joining us this year, we have a lot to talk about!”

CHENNAI, India – Ford India’s annual fleet customer dinner welcomed a special guest this year, with the cool new Figo making a grand entrance during the event.

To roaring cheers from the audience, the new Figo emerged amidst a flurry of lights, smoke and music. All participants were then invited to the stage for a closer look.

“This car looks smart and will be successful,” said fleet customer Sanjeev Prasa, CEO of LeasePlan India.

Capt. Kamal Bajaj, another Ford fleet customer, and vice president of HR at Axis Bank, agreed, “I’m sure the Figo will do well in India.”

Ford India holds a yearly President’s Dinner to thank fleet customers for their continuing business. This year’s dinner took place in Mumbai on October 30, and was attended by Ford India’s management team and about 50 valued fleet customers from all over India.

During the dinner, Michael Boneham, president and managing director of Ford India, and Nigel Wark, executive director, Marketing, Sales and Service, outlined how the Ford business in India is changing, with Ford Figo driving this transformation. They also discussed how initiatives such as Cost of Ownership are benefiting Indian consumers.

”This annual gathering provides us with a chance to really get to know our fleet customers better, and gain a greater understanding of their needs,” said Boneham. ”With our exciting new Figo joining us this year, we have a lot to talk about!”

Source: Ford

New Racing Version for International GT Sport

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Porsche GT Sport 1

Stuttgart. Following the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is entering yet another racing car in the 2010 motorsport season: The 911 GT3 R will be raced in series based on the international FIA GT3 regulations, thus succeeding the 911 GT3 Cup S. The main focus in developing this new model was on even better drivability and even easier handling.
The 911 GT3 R is powered by a four-litre six-cylinder boxer engine delivering maximum output of 480 bhp (353 kW) transmitted to the rear axle by a sequential six-speed dog gearbox.
The starting point in developing the 911 GT3 R weighing just 1,200 kg or 2,646 lb was the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup presented in September for one-make cup racing. Thanks to its increase in engine size by 0.2 litres, the GT3 R offers 30 bhp more than the Cup model. Both cars are based on the extra-wide body of the 911 GT3 RS street-legal sports car.

Stuttgart. Following the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is entering yet another racing car in the 2010 motorsport season: The 911 GT3 R will be raced in series based on the international FIA GT3 regulations, thus succeeding the 911 GT3 Cup S. The main focus in developing this new model was on even better drivability and even easier handling.

The 911 GT3 R is powered by a four-litre six-cylinder boxer engine delivering maximum output of 480 bhp (353 kW) transmitted to the rear axle by a sequential six-speed dog gearbox.

The starting point in developing the 911 GT3 R weighing just 1,200 kg or 2,646 lb was the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup presented in September for one-make cup racing. Thanks to its increase in engine size by 0.2 litres, the GT3 R offers 30 bhp more than the Cup model. Both cars are based on the extra-wide body of the 911 GT3 RS street-legal sports car.

Porsche GT Sport 2

An anti-lock brake system (ABS), traction control and an e-gas with “throttle-blip” function make it much easier to get used to this new GT3 racing car than its predecessor, meaning that the new model is also more appropriate for the ambitious amateur racing driver.

Flared wheel arches added on to the body both front and rear bear clear testimony to the wider track than on the former model. And like all second-generation versions of the 911, the new 911 GT3 R also comes with striking LED rear light clusters.

The Porsche 911 GT3 R is making its world debut on 14 January 2010 at the Birmingham Motor Show. The car is built by Porsche’s Motorsport Department at the Weissach Development Centre and will be delivered to Customer Teams the world over as of spring 2010. The base price of the Porsche 911 GT3 R is 279,000 euros plus local sales tax/VAT.

Source: Porsche

The BMW golf cart bag

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P90054047

Munich. Temperatures below freezing, wind, snow or rain. November to April are the worst months of the year for around 575,000 German golfers. The vast majority of the 693 courses in these parts are unplayable and the greens are often closed. To fill the time, you could try a golfing holiday in southern Europe or a Christmas gift from the BMW Golfsport Collection.
A great deal to discover.
The white BMW golf cart bag has been developed together with bag specialist OGIO and has an impressive number of elaborate details: eleven special pockets, a roomy club compartment with seven separate sections, a strap for securing a golf club towel/umbrella, two isolated drinks compartments and much more. By the time you’ve discovered all the little extras, there will only be a few weeks to go until the beginning of the golfing season …
Armed for the rain.
With the BMW golf cart bag the season can begin even if the weather is not yet exactly spring-like. The bag’s rain cover can be attached in seconds, which means that an unexpected downpour is no longer a problem for the hardened golfer at least, because the equipment is protected.
The BMW golf cart bag is available from selected BMW dealers and online at www.bmw-shop.de.

Munich. Temperatures below freezing, wind, snow or rain. November to April are the worst months of the year for around 575,000 German golfers. The vast majority of the 693 courses in these parts are unplayable and the greens are often closed. To fill the time, you could try a golfing holiday in southern Europe or a Christmas gift from the BMW Golfsport Collection.

A great deal to discover.

The white BMW golf cart bag has been developed together with bag specialist OGIO and has an impressive number of elaborate details: eleven special pockets, a roomy club compartment with seven separate sections, a strap for securing a golf club towel/umbrella, two isolated drinks compartments and much more. By the time you’ve discovered all the little extras, there will only be a few weeks to go until the beginning of the golfing season …

Armed for the rain.

With the BMW golf cart bag the season can begin even if the weather is not yet exactly spring-like. The bag’s rain cover can be attached in seconds, which means that an unexpected downpour is no longer a problem for the hardened golfer at least, because the equipment is protected.

The BMW golf cart bag is available from selected BMW dealers and online at www.bmw-shop.de.

Price: 189 Euros

Source: BMW

Corsa Utility takes top honours in quality survey

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Opel Corsa Utility

General Motors South Africa’s (GMSA) Corsa Utility has once again taken top honours in the Synovate Quality Awards for 2009 in the half ton light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment.
In addition, the Corsa Utility won the accolade for best overall LCV brand in the 2009 survey.
Locally manufactured at the Struandale plant in Port Elizabeth, this popular half ton has been South Africa’s market leader for 55 months in a row, breaking its own sales record in October 2009. Its previous best was between April 1998 and September 2002 when the Corsa Utility enjoyed an unbeaten 54-month record.
According to Malcolm Gauld, GMSA vice president of sales and marketing, the success of the Corsa Utility is ascribed to its superior built-in quality and superb after sales support its owners enjoy. “This feisty half ton has surpassed its competitors in the Synovate Quality Survey since 2005,” said Gauld.

General Motors South Africa’s (GMSA) Corsa Utility has once again taken top honours in the Synovate Quality Awards for 2009 in the half ton light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment.

In addition, the Corsa Utility won the accolade for best overall LCV brand in the 2009 survey.

Locally manufactured at the Struandale plant in Port Elizabeth, this popular half ton has been South Africa’s market leader for 55 months in a row, breaking its own sales record in October 2009. Its previous best was between April 1998 and September 2002 when the Corsa Utility enjoyed an unbeaten 54-month record.

According to Malcolm Gauld, GMSA vice president of sales and marketing, the success of the Corsa Utility is ascribed to its superior built-in quality and superb after sales support its owners enjoy. “This feisty half ton has surpassed its competitors in the Synovate Quality Survey since 2005,” said Gauld.

The Synovate survey measures the number of problems new car owners experience with their vehicles in the first few months of ownership and includes interviews with 55 000 new vehicle owners.

Source: Opel

BMW Group increases sales in October

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bmw logo

Munich. The BMW Group increased its global sales in October. A total of 115,252 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand automobiles were delivered to customers – a 2.0% increase over the same month last year (113,011). During the period from January to October, 1,054,811 (prev.yr. 1,226,844 / -14.0%) vehicles were sold. The company remained on its growth track in the emerging markets of China (9.558 / +81.0%), India (343 / +55.9%) and Brazil (838 / +224.8%) in October. In these markets the BMW Group was able to exceed the sales volume achieved for the whole of 2008 after just ten months.

Besides China, India and Brazil, the company was also able to increase sales volumes in a series of other markets. In the high-volume markets of the U.K. (12,991 / +34.8%) and Spain (4,693/ +4.0%), for instance, deliveries rose substantially in some cases.
The BMW Group also reported strong growth in many smaller markets, including Austria (1,414 / +16.8%), South Africa (1,750 / +15.8%), South Korea (1,100 / +24.3%), Thailand (243 / +18.0%), Argentina (321 / +34.3%) and the Netherlands (1,915 / +6.5%).

Besides China, India and Brazil, the company was also able to increase sales volumes in a series of other markets. In the high-volume markets of the U.K. (12,991 / +34.8%) and Spain (4,693/ +4.0%), for instance, deliveries rose substantially in some cases.

The BMW Group also reported strong growth in many smaller markets, including Austria (1,414 / +16.8%), South Africa (1,750 / +15.8%), South Korea (1,100 / +24.3%), Thailand (243 / +18.0%), Argentina (321 / +34.3%) and the Netherlands (1,915 / +6.5%).

Source: BMW

The Breeker to car connection (Part 3)

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vin breeker

Being a Breeker on a budget

It’s not always easy to be a Breeker, especially in todays tough economic climate. Would-be Breekers have therefore started to innovate due to cost constraints and have found various ways to cut costs but still maintain a Breeker image, because lets face it, not many people can afford a M3 and instantly gain Breeker status.

Metal pedal covers

Relatively cheap, quick and easy to install, metal pedal covers simply clip onto your existing car pedals and your Breeker level instantly increases. They are however not very obvious and easy to see, to counter this, a Breeker will simply point out the metal pedal covers to anyone who rides with them, family members or passers-by on the street who have no interest at all.

pedal covers

The ‘Sport’ sticker

If you already own a car that’s not bad, but not ‘Breeker’ enough, then a quick purchase of a ‘Sport’ sticker is probably all you need to boost you onto the next level. Simply stick the ‘Sport’ sticker on the right hand side of your cars make at the back and you instantly are closer to becoming a Breeker. That old Mazda 323 just became a 323 SPORT! What about your small Ford KA? Well it just became a Ford KA Sport, the very first of its kind.

2nd hand Opel Corsa

There is nothing instantly Breeker about an Opel Corsa, however its’ Breekerness comes through in its’ ‘modability’ and its’ cost. For around R50 000 or so you can pick up a used Corsa, then simply throw every single add-on there is possible onto the car, including the sport sticker, custom bumper, under car lighting, racing steering wheel, pedal covers and a ‘Sport’ sticker, all coming to around another R50 000, and you have yourself a R100 000 Breeker car.

Disclaimer

This Breeker article is meant as educational only; any resemblance to Breekers in real life are not a coincidence at all, do not attempt to become a breeker before first consulting your Doctor.

Sculpted to move you – first pictures of the all-new Volvo S60

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Volvo S60 concept

Here are the first official pictures of the all-new Volvo S60 – sportier and more dynamic than any previous Volvo model.
“The all-new Volvo S60 is sculpted to move you. It looks and drives like no other Volvo before and the car’s technology will help you to be safer and more confident behind the wheel,” says Stephen Odell, President and CEO of Volvo Cars.
The Volvo S60 can be equipped with Pedestrian Detection – a groundbreaking safety feature that can detect pedestrians in front of the car and brake automatically if the driver does not react in time.
The all-new Volvo S60 is being unveiled to the public for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in early March next year. Production of the sporty sedan model will start in early summer 2010 at the Volvo Cars plant in Ghent, Belgium.
“Customers in this segment want emotional appeal, sporty design and dynamic driving properties. The S60 has it all. We are convinced that it will be one of the strongest contenders around,” says Stephen Odell.

Here are the first official pictures of the all-new Volvo S60 – sportier and more dynamic than any previous Volvo model.

“The all-new Volvo S60 is sculpted to move you. It looks and drives like no other Volvo before and the car’s technology will help you to be safer and more confident behind the wheel,” says Stephen Odell, President and CEO of Volvo Cars.

The Volvo S60 can be equipped with Pedestrian Detection – a groundbreaking safety feature that can detect pedestrians in front of the car and brake automatically if the driver does not react in time.

The all-new Volvo S60 is being unveiled to the public for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in early March next year. Production of the sporty sedan model will start in early summer 2010 at the Volvo Cars plant in Ghent, Belgium.

“Customers in this segment want emotional appeal, sporty design and dynamic driving properties. The S60 has it all. We are convinced that it will be one of the strongest contenders around,” says Stephen Odell.

Source: Volvo

Volkswagen GTI Named 2010 AUTOMOBILE Magazine Automobile of the Year

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Volkswagen GTI

Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that its all-new sixth generation GTI has been named the 2010 AUTOMOBILE Magazine Automobile of the Year. This marks the second time in its history that the GTI has won this prestigious award. In AUTOMOBILE Magazine’s twenty year history of awarding their top honor, the Volkswagen GTI is the only make and model to ever win it twice.

“At a time when the world’s economy is in shambles and fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are on everyone’s minds, there remains only one car that ticks all the enthusiast boxes without setting off a single wretched-excess alarm. That’s the Volkswagen GTI, and that’s why it is, once again, Automobile Magazine’s Automobile of the Year,” said Joe DeMatio, Executive Editor, Automobile Magazine.
“Having our GTI named AUTOMOBILE Magazine’s Automobile of the Year once again is a tremendous honor for our brand,” said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “We’re thrilled that the staff of AUTOMOBILE Magazine acknowledged that today’s sport’s car consumers are looking beyond horsepower and going fast, rather they are looking for vehicles that are practical, fuel efficient, and fast. The GTI truly embodies what the Volkswagen brand is all about–affordable, efficient, and fun-to-drive German Engineering,” Barnes added.

“At a time when the world’s economy is in shambles and fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are on everyone’s minds, there remains only one car that ticks all the enthusiast boxes without setting off a single wretched-excess alarm. That’s the Volkswagen GTI, and that’s why it is, once again, Automobile Magazine’s Automobile of the Year,” said Joe DeMatio, Executive Editor, Automobile Magazine.

“Having our GTI named AUTOMOBILE Magazine’s Automobile of the Year once again is a tremendous honor for our brand,” said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “We’re thrilled that the staff of AUTOMOBILE Magazine acknowledged that today’s sport’s car consumers are looking beyond horsepower and going fast, rather they are looking for vehicles that are practical, fuel efficient, and fast. The GTI truly embodies what the Volkswagen brand is all about–affordable, efficient, and fun-to-drive German Engineering,” Barnes added.

Source: Volkswagen