New Volvo C30 And C70 Prices Announced

MARLOW, UNITED KINGDOM – October 5, 2009: Volvo Car UK has announced prices for the new C30 SportCoupe and C70 coupe/convertible. The Volvo C30 starts from only £14,495 OTR for the 1.6 S, while customers can purchase a new Volvo C70 2.0D S for £25,995 OTR.

The new Volvo C30 and C70 were unveiled at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2009 showcasing extensive facelifts to give the cars distinct new styling. Both models will arrive in dealer showrooms and be available for customer test drives this December, with first customer deliveries in January 2010.

Volvo C30 specification and pricing
Starting at £14,495 OTR, the Volvo C30 will be available in four trim levels S, SE, SE Lux and R-DESIGN and will have the choice of six engines including the 99 g/km CO2-emitting 1.6D 109 PS DRIVe with Start/Stop right up to the turbocharged T5 producing 230 PS.
The S model offers a high level of specification with features such as ECC (Electronic Climate Control), Information Centre, power windows, a leather steering wheel and gear knob, floor mats, CD player and an Aux input and 16" Convector alloy wheels (Libra alloys on DRIVe S), as well as all the advanced safety systems you'd expect from a Volvo including DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control).

The SE trim level adds Cruise Control, steering wheel remote controls and Leksand Textile/T-Tec upholstery on the inside. Exterior additions include front fog lights, 17" Styx White alloy wheels and auto-folding power door mirrors with ground lights.

The SE Lux enhances the SE specification with luxury features such as leather upholstery, power drivers seat with memory, 17" Spartacus alloy wheels and active bending lights with headlamp cleaning system.

Based on the S specification, R-DESIGN models benefit from steering wheel remote audio controls, embossed R-DESIGN leather/T-Tec upholstery available in two colour combinations, aluminium deco centre stack and door inserts, blue instrument dials and sports floor mats with contrast piping on the inside. External features include a bodykit with front and rear spoilers and colour matched side skirts, tailgate spoiler, front fog lights, chrome plated sports tailpipe, grille and door mirror housings in silver matt finish and five spoke 17" Cratus Alloy wheels. The new Sports Chassis has also been introduced as standard to R-DESIGN to give a dynamic driving experience to match its sporty appearance. The Sports Chassis is also available as an option on non-R-DESIGN models.

Volvo offers a range of options so customers can personalise their C30 including 18" alloy wheels (£500), rear park assist (£350), keyless drive (£350), Oyster burst trim (no cost option on SE and SE Lux and £250 on S), the new Sport Chassis (£400), a choice of exterior contrast colours (£175) and a range of interior and exterior accessory styling kits.

Volvo C70 specification and pricing
Along with a more refined appearance, the Volvo C70 also features a number of specification changes. Available in three trim levels – S, SE and SE Lux – and a choice four engines, including two diesels – 2.0D, D5 and two petrol derivatives – 2.4i, T5, the C70 range starts from £25,995 for the 2.0D S.

The S model comes complete with Volvo's familiar suite of safety features including WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System) as well as comprehensive standard specification including ECC (Electronic Climate Control), 16" Castula alloy wheels, front fog lights, power windows, information centre, cruise control, floor mats and Performance Sound Audio System.

The SE builds on the S specification by adding 17" Sirona alloy wheels, auto-folding power door mirrors with ground lights and rear park assist. Additions inside the car include Aluminium trim, Bluetooth® hands-free system, auto-dimming rear view mirror and High Performance Sound Audio System.

The luxurious SE Lux trim includes Leather-faced upholstery, power driver's seat and active bending lights with headlamp cleaning system.

For an additional touch of luxury, a Premium upgrade is available on the majority of trim levels by adding leather-faced upholstery and Satellite Navigation System (RTI) to the already high standard of specification.

Triple Success for the BMW Group

MUNICH – October 5, 2009: Triple success for the BMW Group in the 2009 Internet Auto Award competition. This year the new BMW Z4 Roadster, the Sports Activity Coupe BMW X6 and the MINI E received the CAROLINA trophy awarded by the online portal Autoscout24. The Internet Auto Award competition was held for the eighth time as a European-wide online voting. The award ceremony took place on 1 October 2009 during a gala event held at the Kesselhaus in Munich.

With its fascinating design, which is a modern interpretation of classic proportions authentically reflecting typical BMW Roadster driving pleasure, the new BMW Z4 has been enthusiastically received by experts and the public alike. Only a few weeks ago the Roadster seized the International Design Excellence Award 2009 in the USA, having already won the red dot award 2009 in Germany shortly before that. The new BMW Roadster now succeeded in the category “Convertibles” in the European Internet Auto Award competition conferred by AutoScout24. Just a few months after its market launch in May 2009, the new Z4 has taken a distinctive lead in its vehicle class, achieving a higher number of sales than both of its main premium segment competitors together
The BMW X6 has also already collected a number of renowned awards since its market launch last year. The CAROLINA trophy in the category “All-terrain Vehicles” is now being added to the series of successes. As a new vehicle concept within the competitive environment of the BMW X models, the Sports Activity Coupe is characterised by an elegant design and superior, sporty handling characteristics. Dynamic Performance Control, which in addition to the intelligent all-wheel drive technology xDrive ensures variable power distribution between the rear wheels and is featured by the BMW X6 for the first time, had already earned a CAROLINA statue last year for the “best innovation of the year”.

The prize for the “best environmental initiative of the year 2009” goes to the MINI E. The first purely electrically powered model of this brand is currently undergoing tests in everyday traffic conditions within the framework of a pilot project. The MINI E, which was produced as a small series of around 600 cars, is being driven by private users in the USA and can in the meantime also be seen on roads in Munich and Berlin. From these field tests the BMW Group expects to gain knowledge for the development of a purely electrically powered Megacity Vehicle. The MINI E is also scheduled to be tested in the UK, where it is produced, and in France. The MINI E is powered by a 150kW/204 bhp electric motor that guarantees brand-typical driving pleasure with zero CO2 emissions. Its high-performance lithium ion battery offers a cruising range of up to 250 kilometres. The field testing of the MINI E is currently the world’s largest pilot project for the research of electrical mobility. Only a few weeks ago the BMW Group was awarded the EcoGlobe environment prize of the University of Duisburg-Essen for its commitment in this field.

Triple Success for the BMW Group

MUNICH – October 5, 2009: Triple success for the BMW Group in the 2009 Internet Auto Award competition. This year the new BMW Z4 Roadster, the Sports Activity Coupe BMW X6 and the MINI E received the CAROLINA trophy awarded by the online portal Autoscout24. The Internet Auto Award competition was held for the eighth time as a European-wide online voting. The award ceremony took place on 1 October 2009 during a gala event held at the Kesselhaus in Munich.

With its fascinating design, which is a modern interpretation of classic proportions authentically reflecting typical BMW Roadster driving pleasure, the new BMW Z4 has been enthusiastically received by experts and the public alike. Only a few weeks ago the Roadster seized the International Design Excellence Award 2009 in the USA, having already won the red dot award 2009 in Germany shortly before that. The new BMW Roadster now succeeded in the category “Convertibles” in the European Internet Auto Award competition conferred by AutoScout24. Just a few months after its market launch in May 2009, the new Z4 has taken a distinctive lead in its vehicle class, achieving a higher number of sales than both of its main premium segment competitors together
The BMW X6 has also already collected a number of renowned awards since its market launch last year. The CAROLINA trophy in the category “All-terrain Vehicles” is now being added to the series of successes. As a new vehicle concept within the competitive environment of the BMW X models, the Sports Activity Coupe is characterised by an elegant design and superior, sporty handling characteristics. Dynamic Performance Control, which in addition to the intelligent all-wheel drive technology xDrive ensures variable power distribution between the rear wheels and is featured by the BMW X6 for the first time, had already earned a CAROLINA statue last year for the “best innovation of the year”.

The prize for the “best environmental initiative of the year 2009” goes to the MINI E. The first purely electrically powered model of this brand is currently undergoing tests in everyday traffic conditions within the framework of a pilot project. The MINI E, which was produced as a small series of around 600 cars, is being driven by private users in the USA and can in the meantime also be seen on roads in Munich and Berlin. From these field tests the BMW Group expects to gain knowledge for the development of a purely electrically powered Megacity Vehicle. The MINI E is also scheduled to be tested in the UK, where it is produced, and in France. The MINI E is powered by a 150kW/204 bhp electric motor that guarantees brand-typical driving pleasure with zero CO2 emissions. Its high-performance lithium ion battery offers a cruising range of up to 250 kilometres. The field testing of the MINI E is currently the world’s largest pilot project for the research of electrical mobility. Only a few weeks ago the BMW Group was awarded the EcoGlobe environment prize of the University of Duisburg-Essen for its commitment in this field.

Mazda Sets Sales Record in Scotland

DARTFORD, UNITED KINGDOM – October 5, 2009: Mazda's sales in Scotland soared to new heights in September with a record-breaking 1,556 units.

This beat the previous best September two years ago and was also a record for a single month, set in March 2007 when Mazda's Scottish dealer network sold almost 1,520 units.

Even more impressive is that fact that September's record was set without relying too heavily on the Government's scrappage scheme; just 16 per cent of Mazda cars bought in September were sold with the help of the trade-in scheme. This is well below the 25 per cent average for Mazda's UK network.

Sales to retail customers, a true measure of how well a brand is doing, were up 50 per cent and while Mazda2 was the best-seller with sales of more than 600, the newly-launched Mazda3 helped maintain Mazda's momentum recording 400 sales while Mazda6 sales reached the 300 mark.

Machargs, part of the Arnold Clark group which has dealers across Scotland, proved yet again to be Mazda's strongest retail dealer in the UK, selling more than 220 cars in September. The group was also Mazda's top selling retail group with sales of 550.

This exceptional performance ensures that Mazda's share of Scotland's retail market continues to be significantly above its national position at around a healthy 5 per cent.

For one Mazda dealer it was a hectic welcome to the brand. Ayr-based Glen Henderson sold more than 60 Mazdas in its first month of trading. "It's been fantastic, way above my expectations," said operations director Callum Watson.

Even more impressive was the fact that the sales came across the range, including MX-5, and not just from Mazda2 and Mazda3.

Glen Henderson's is a long-established Mercedes-Benz franchise in Scotland and has also sold Porsche and Maserati north of the border.

"Glen saw an opportunity with Mazda and we operate out of a former purpose-built Mercedes showroom.

"Mazda is a fantastic company to do business with and we've had a staggering first month. To get to 60 sales from a standing start was beyond our expectations," said Watson.

This strong performance in Scotland helped Mazda set a new UK sales record for the brand of more than 11,350 - the best single month since the marque arrived in the UK in the 1960s.

"Throughout this economic downturn we have sought to ensure our dealers remain profitable, motivated and they have the tools to do the job effectively. We have also continued to build our brand awareness and give the dealers the product mix they require to hit their sales objectives," said Jeremy Thomson, Mazda UK managing director. "These actions are now beginning to pay off as we see increasing traffic in the showrooms, greater awareness of the Mazda brand and more customers abandoning other manufacturers to buy Mazda vehicles."