Car Sales Wales: 2011

In Wales, car sales have fallen for the past two years. Fords are popular in the Principality (see pic above), as are the cars, with a 20% market share. It must be all the Ford engines thay make in Bridgend. The last column shows how brands rank differently to the UK in total. Notice the big three French brands (Renault and both PSA brands) do better in Wales, while the three German premium

China & JLR

Jaguar Land Rover are entering a joint venture deal with Chinese car maker Chery. I wonder why JLR feel the need to build cars there. They are doing well as it is, unless this move guarantees access to such an important market. Below are some amazing facts about JLR in China.

JLR sales between 2004 and 2010: 39,000.
2011: 42,000. 2012: First 3 mths 18,000.
Estimated 2012: 70,000.

Jaguar XJ

Car Sales Scotland: 2011

Scottish car sales are included in the UK figures, but looking at them separately does show up some differences with the rest of the nation. For a start GM Vauxhall is top here, while second nationally, the reverse being so for Ford. Renault managed 5th spot in Scotland for 2011 but 11th overall for the UK. BMW is 4th in the UK but only 8th in the land of the tartan. Premium brands are not as

2012 Honda CR-Z

Honda have created the Honda CR-Z as a sporty hybrid. Except it isn't strictly speaking such, but uses an electric motor to boost its petrol engine when more power is required. It has three buttons you can press for the desired driving. Econ for cruising for economy but little urge required. Normal which gives more umph but still sluggish. Then Sport for thrust. It certainly enlivens up the

New Zealand Top 50 By Model: 2011

I'm not big on sales by model, but for the NZ market, I'll make an exception as it isn't that readily available elsewhere. For some notes on the top of the list, the Corolla is top because of fleet sales. The Swift is next because it works well as a second car and is well priced, but there are more practical small hatches to be had. The Commodore was top until 2008 ans is still as high as third

Milan Design Week & The XF Sportbrake

How Italians lived and how they live now is the theme of this huge multimedia and interactive exhibition entitled AD - La Casa degli Italiani dal 1861 al 2011 (AD – the Italian house from 1861 to 2011), which celebrates 30 years of AD, the Architectural Digest, a monthly Condé Nast publication that focuses on architecture, furnishing and design. (quote: vogue.it @ http://tiny.cc/juxxcw ).

Part

New Model At Nissan Sunderland

Nissan UK keeps on growing. Back in 1986, Nissan UK assmebled 5,000 Primeras. Local content increased, as did numbers. In 1991, the 100k figure was passed with 125,000 Primeras made. The Micra was added in 1992 and 246,000 cars were produced in 1993 at the plant. The Almera joined the production line in the year 2000, when the 300k mark was passed (327,000). 2010 was the first time 400k was

World Car Design Of The Year: 2012

Slightly late news but I only just heard that the Range Rover Evoque has been crowned World Car Design of the Year 2012. The announcement was made at the 2012 New York International Auto Show and sees Evoque's awards tally total more than 100 global accolades. Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Design Director said: "We are honored that the Range Rover Evoque has been named 2012 World Car Design of the